A new report from Curtin University emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced protections for migrant and refugee women facing family and domestic violence (FDV). The SHAKTI Project Community Report warns that significant structural gaps, which were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to affect some of Western Australia’s most vulnerable communities.
The report, funded by Healthway, sheds light on the ongoing struggles of women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Issues such as social isolation, economic hardship, emotional abuse, and visa vulnerabilities were exacerbated during the pandemic, leaving these women in precarious situations.
In collaboration with researchers and frontline agencies, CALD women with lived experiences of violence contributed to the development and pilot of the SHAKTI Self-Help and Safety Intervention (SHSI) tool. This resource aims to empower women by helping them recognize abuse, plan for safety, and access support services.
Professor Jaya Dantas, the lead investigator from the Curtin School of Population Health, emphasized the importance of the new tool for migrant and refugee women. “For many migrant and refugee women, the pandemic didn’t just increase the risk of violence – it amplified existing inequalities and made it even harder to seek help,” she stated. “Despite immense hardship, the women who took part in this project showed extraordinary resilience. Their insights tell us exactly what needs to be done to make services more supportive and accessible.”
Co-investigator John Curtin Distinguished Professor Donna Chung, also from Curtin, noted the critical need for culturally appropriate support. “Culturally appropriate support is not optional – it is essential. Without it, women face greater danger, greater isolation, and fewer pathways to safety,” she remarked. “Women from CALD backgrounds are still falling through cracks in the system. Our report sets out what must be done now to ensure these women are never again left without safety, information, or support.”
In addition, Professor Sender Dovchin, another investigator on the project, highlighted the barriers posed by language and linguistic racism. “Women told us repeatedly that they want resources that reflect their culture, their language, and their lived experiences. The SHAKTI Self-Help and Safety Intervention will work because CALD women helped create it,” he explained.
The SHAKTI tool was piloted with 58 participants, including both CALD women and FDV service providers. Feedback focused on several themes, such as presenting FDV in a culturally relevant yet direct manner, expanding definitions of abuse, and simplifying language for better comprehension. Participants also proposed strategies for disseminating the SHSI tool within CALD communities, proposing distribution upon arrival in Australia, through community organizations, and via social media platforms.
The researchers have recommended several policy changes to improve support for migrant women escaping FDV. These include a review of visa support systems, increased financial assistance and transitional accommodation, enhanced language learning programs, improved psychological support, and better mechanisms for navigating legal processes. Community education initiatives are also deemed essential.
The SHAKTI Project was conducted through the Curtin School of Population Health in partnership with various community agencies across Perth. The academic paper detailing the project, titled “Stuck Due to COVID: Applying the Power and Control Model to Migrant and Refugee Women’s Experiences of Family Domestic Violence in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” is available online.
This report serves as a crucial call to action for policymakers and support organizations to address the specific needs of migrant and refugee women, ensuring that they have access to the necessary resources and protections against domestic violence.
