Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse victims of domestic violence
The Federal Coalition Government is taking more action to help tackle domestic violence against women and children with a further investment in programs designed to reach more parts of the Australian community.
Visiting the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health in Melbourne today, Federal Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Dr David Gillespie today announced funding programs aimed at reducing violence against women and their children in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across the country.
The Government has awarded 26 community grants to primary prevention and support programs for CALD Australians experiencing, or at risk of, domestic and family violence or sexual assault. A total of $3.2 million funding has been allocated to these initiatives under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
Minister Gillespie said the funding is an important investment in efforts to tackle domestic violence, particularly given the diverse needs of women in many migrant communities when it comes to accessing education and support services.
“This funding also enables communities to develop and implement locally-led solutions to drive long-term changes that will work in their communities,” Dr Gillespie said.
“These activities will empower women from all communities to seek help if they, or someone they know, are experiencing or at risk of domestic and family violence.”
“The Federal Coalition Government supports the important work being done by local organisations to build community support networks and promote respectful relationships and gender equality in Australia’s culturally diverse communities,” he said.
The grant agreements fall into two categories: Safer Pathways for CALD Women and CALD Communities Leading Prevention. All projects run for two years, this financial year and next.
The Safer Pathways grant aims to help CALD women living in regional areas access support services. Eight grant agreements are in place for service providers to trial innovative and collaborative methods of improving service pathways in these communities. These grants will help identify and address barriers faced by culturally diverse women in accessing mainstream domestic and family violence or sexual assault services.
The Communities Leading Prevention grant aims to help CALD communities develop and implement prevention strategies to reduce violence against women and their children. Eighteen grant agreements are in place across Australia to provide one-off, non-ongoing funding to community organisations to drive long-term, sustainable changes in community awareness, attitudes and behaviour.
Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) has also been funded to help each of the 26 successful organisations apply an action research approach to their projects.
The CEO of ANROWS, Dr Heather Nancarrow, said her organisation would encourage grant recipients to consult and share information as their projects are implemented.
“We are delighted to be involved in such major initiative to prevent violence against migrant and refugee women, including those in rural and remote areas”, Dr Nancarrow said.
For further information on the National Plan, visit https://www.dss.gov.au/women/programs-services/reducing-violence/the-national-plan-to-reduce-violence-against-women-and-their-children-2010-2022