Abstract
This provides a literature review on issues and initiatives relating to family and domestic violence in culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities in Australia. A review of Australian statistics, national and jurisdictional research, good practice guidelines and models on working with women and families, working with children and working with men, as well as culturally appropriate responses to family and domestic violence, has been conducted. It finds that research has been conducted with specific ethnic groups but it reports that it is hard to provide accurate statistics for the extent and nature of domestic violence within CaLD communities. It suggests the need for an integrated national data collection system. There have been national competency standards developed for service providers who come into contact with people affected by family violence from CaLD backgrounds, which have provided consistency and identified skills and knowledge needed to work in the field with men, women and children experiencing domestic violence. Research findings show that many of the agencies and service providers have supported procedures that are more inclusive but in practice, the strategies do not seem to be implemented. New culturally appropriate models and interventions are required to ensure there are good practice models and guidelines. It suggests the need to focus on rural and remote communities and also innovative strategies that suit Western Australia’s geography and demography. The importance of general practitioners and the health system for women from CaLD backgrounds is highlighted and the lack of qualified interpreters and of appropriate referral options should be addressed as a key strategy. Research suggests that positive messages reinforcing community values such as family harmony and healthy relationships may be more effective than confronting and aggressive messages. Specific services for CaLD groups may be required as they may not use mainstream services for a range of reasons. A recurring theme of the literature indicates that for prevention, protection of victims and provision of services, the ‘one size does not fit all’ is common insofar as mainstream services are not equipped to deal with the complex needs of marginalised groups. Another common theme is the need to engage key community and religious leaders to address family violence in CaLD communities. Settlement issues also mean there is a need for new and emerging communities to be informed of Australian law and services within a culturally appropriate forum. It calls for an urgent need to develop culturally appropriate interventions and holistic preventative programmes that target men from CaLD backgrounds who perpetrate domestic violence.