Abstract
This paper describes the research study in late 2003/early 2004 which looked at the extent to which safety and related needs of culturally and linguistically diverse women in rural areas who are experiencing family violence have been met in Victoria. A summary of findings is presented which include: fear of disclosure due to confidentiality issues; low level of knowledge about service options; lack of trust of service providers; discriminatory treatment from professionals and workers from their own communities; fear of police; women from newly arrived communities’ experiences with effects of unemployment and minimal educational opportunities. Workers in regional areas also discussed the barriers in responding to these women and the need for: cultural diversity training for workers; resources in different languages; professional network development; interpreter training for staff; recruitment of diverse staff; responses to violence that involve all members of the community; strategies to work with women that value cultural difference; options on safety planning and escape; improving relations with police; more service information delivery; addressing interpreting and translating needs.