Domestic and family violence is emerging as a major area of concern within the South Asian community resident in Western Sydney.
Women from within the community, including newly arrived migrants and refugees, face specific barriers in accessing support services, which include social isolation, language and communication difficulties, financial dependence and fear that they will be forced to leave Australia if they flee a violent relationship.
“By harnessing the wisdom of those within the community, we have the best chance of making a real difference to the lives of those affected within the South Asian community and help reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence” — Sue Advani
Seva International, a non-profit, non-religious, non-political NGO, focused on the rapidly expanding Australian South Asian community in Sydney, has received funding through a City of Parramatta Council Community Grant to develop a joint strategy to address domestic violence within the South Asian Community.
Seva will work with leaders of various South Asian community groups and service providers to explore issues faced within the community. Participants will share their experiences and innovative practices and learn from each other as well as identify gaps and challenges and come up with strategies to address these.
The development of a joint strategy will provide an integrated and whole of community approach to the reduction of domestic and family violence. This strategy will be shared with the Council as well as State and Federal governments so they will be better informed about the special needs of the South Asian community and to enable them to better target their services.
“By harnessing the wisdom of those within the community, we have the best chance of making a real difference to the lives of those affected within the South Asian community and help reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence,” said Sue Advani, Seva project co-ordinator.
The development of the strategy will take place over two days: Saturday, 5 August, and Saturday 19 August, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm at Granville Diggers Club, 5 Memorial Drive, Granville NSW
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