Whittlesea CALD Communities Family Violence Research Report 2012 | Page 8

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The fear of losing the right to remain in Australia, whether real or perceived, was cited as a powerful
disincentive for women to speak out about family violence. It was noted that this fear is readily
exploitable by perpetrators of family violence with workers giving numerous examples of
perpetrators using the threat of deportation, and in particular deportation and loss of access to
children, as a means of controlling and keeping women in violent relationships.
Services reported on the increased challenges of supporting women where they have limited or no
English proficiency. The language barrier was seen as important in compounding the disadvantage of
a lack of information and social isolation. The use of interpreters, though standard practice among
those interviewed, threw up further considerations for those from smaller communities where the
likelihood of the interpreter knowing the victim or the perpetrator is increased.
A range of factors were identified by workers where community, religious and cultural norms and
taboos impacted negatively on a woman’s ability to seek and get help. Community and family
pressures to preserve the relationship were often counterproductive to efforts for early
intervention. Some workers highlighted the role of community and religious leaders in urging women
to return to their partners.
A general fear amongst CALD women that they may lose custody of their children if they separated
was reported as significant for some in considerations of whether or not seek help. The fact that
CALD women face the possibility that their children may be removed and taken overseas was
reported as a factor not normally experienced by non-CALD women.
Overall, service providers reported that it may be harder for mainstream and specialist family
violence services to build trust with CALD women and advocated for partnership and integrated
approaches with settlement and CALD specific agencies with greater and more developed
relationships with women from CALD backgrounds.

Perspectives from Community and Religious Leaders
All community religious leaders who participated in the project had been approached by someone in
their community who had experienced family violence. Most said this occurred regularly and ranged
from 4 to 6 cases per year to being approached every weekend after delivering their sermon.
Community and religious leaders on the whole reported a preference for resolving family violence
within the community if possible. Most also saw that they had a role in contributing to the
prevention of family violence through their position as leaders within their communities.
All community and religious leaders expressed a willingness to be involved in education, training and
professional development to improve their capacity to respond the family violence.
A particular need was identified for younger religious leaders to be supported through further
education and training. Some leaders emphasised the need to ensure that family violence training
conformed to the culture and traditions of communities. It was also implied by most that their role
and capacity to contribute to family violence prevention was not usually acknowledged and deserved
greater recognition.