Introduction

On World Refugee Day 2009, the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse is releasing a special collection of research and resources on refugees’ experiences of domestic and gender-based violence during flight from their countries of origin and in countries of resettlement, such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Refugee women have often been subjected to extreme levels of sexual and gender-based violence in their home countries and during often extended periods spent in international refugee camps.  Research shows that while refugee and immigrant women are not necessarily at an increased risk of domestic violence compared with the general population, they often face a range of unique and complex circumstances that can compound the impacts of domestic violence and limit their ability to seek help.  Specific and unique challenges experienced by refugee women include those relating to trauma, legal status, structural barriers to services such as housing and social security, language barriers, racism, social disadvantage and culture, acculturation and resettlement.  These unique challenges also have significant implications for policy and practice with refugee women escaping violence.

In this special collection you will find research and resources related to:

• The global context of violence against women
• Domestic and gender-based violence in international refugee camps
• Refugee women’s experiences of domestic violence in their countries of resettlement
• Culturally appropriate service provision for refugee women
• Resources for service providers
• Resources for refugees

 

The global context of violence against women

‘It's in our hands : stop violence against women

Amnesty International 2004, ‘It's in our hands : stop violence against women’, Amnesty International, London UK, Record #2417

Prepared in conjunction with Amnesty International’s ‘Stop Violence Against Women’ campaign, this report provides an overview of the extent of violence against women on a global scale, its underlying causes in a variety of social and cultural contexts, and its consequences for victims, families and societies within a human rights framework.

 

Domestic and gender-based violence in international refugee camps

Multiple Jeopardy: domestic violence and the notion of cumulative risk for women in refugee camps

Pittaway E & Rees S 2006, ‘Multiple Jeopardy: domestic violence and the notion of cumulative risk for women in refugee camps’, Violence against Women, No. 18, pp. 18-25, Record #3768

This Australian article applies a framework of cumulative risk to highlight some of the specific and compounding issues that make refugee women more vulnerable to domestic violence both in their countries of origin and in international refugee camps.

Refugee women at risk assessment tool and response mechanism
Pittaway E & Bartolomei L 2005, ‘Refugee women at risk assessment tool and response mechanism’, Centre for Refugee Research and the Australian National Committee on Refugee Women, Sydney, Record #3694

This Australian report addresses the need for a simple, easy to use tool to assist in the identification of and appropriate response to refugee Women at Risk in international settings who may have experienced multiple traumatic incidences of sexual and gender-based violence.

Domestic violence in refugee camps in Jordan
Khawaja M 2004, ‘Domestic violence in refugee camps in Jordan’, International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, No. 86, pp. 67-69, Record #3688

This short US article reports on a study concerning the acceptance of domestic violence amongst inhabitants of refugee camps in Jordan.

 

Refugee women’s experiences of domestic violence in their countries of resettlement

Intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities: challenges, promising practices and recommendations
Family Violence Prevention Fund 2009, ‘Intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities: challenges, promising practices and recommendations’, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, Record #4571
A report on the challenges, prevention and treatment of intimate partner violence in immigrant and refugee communities in the US, including recommendations for funders, service providers and policy-makers.

Equality before the law : women's access to the legal system
Law Reform Commission 2007, ‘Equality before the law : women's access to the legal system’, The Law Reform Commission, Sydney, Record #4232

This Australian report examines the application of Australian law to women and considers whether it treats men and women equitably. Part IV discusses violence against women with regard to family law, immigration law and refugee status.

Refugee settlement, safety and wellbeing : exploring domestic and family violence in refugee communities
Pease B & Rees S 2006, ‘Refugee settlement, safety and wellbeing : exploring domestic and family violence in refugee communities’, Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service, Melbourne, Record # 3948

This study of domestic violence in refugee communities in Victoria, Australia, examines the relationship between culture, the settlement experience and violence, and makes recommendations for violence prevention.

The right to be safe from domestic violence : immigrant and refugee women in rural Victoria
Success Works 2006, ‘The right to be safe from domestic violence : immigrant and refugee women in rural Victoria’, Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service, Melbourne, Record #3605

This Australian report presents the findings of research into refugee and immigrant women’s experiences of domestic violence and DV support services in rural and regional Victoria, and the experiences of domestic violence workers assisting women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in these areas.

Women must endure according to their karma: Cambodian immigrant women talk about domestic violence
Bhuyan R, Mell M, Senturia K et al. 2005, ‘Women must endure according to their karma: Cambodian immigrant women talk about domestic violence’, Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 902-921, Record #3328

This US article presents findings from a community-based participatory action research project that investigated how Cambodian immigrant and refugee women in Seattle, Washington, talk about domestic violence and the strategies they use to respond to it.

Understanding domestic violence resource utilisation and survivor solutions among immigrant and refugee women: introduction to the special issue
Bhuyan R & Senturia K 2005, ‘Understanding domestic violence resource utilisation and survivor solutions among immigrant and refugee women: introduction to the special issue’, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 895-901, Record #3327

This American article examines the similarities and differences between immigrant and refugee women’s experiences of domestic violence in the US and the impact of language, culture and structural barriers on their ability to seek help.

Intersections of oppression in women's experiences of intimate violence
Gray K & Bradford M 2005, ‘Intersections of oppression in women's experiences of intimate violence’, Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 5-8, Record #3158

This Australian article examines the impacts of the intersection of gender, race, class, economic disadvantage and systemic oppression on Indigenous, migrant and refugee women’s experiences of oppression and domestic violence.

Like a bird in a cage”: Vietnamese women survivors talk about domestic violence
Shiu-Thornton S, Senturia K & Sullivan M 2005, ‘“Like a bird in a cage”: Vietnamese women survivors talk about domestic violence’, Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 959-976, Record #3331

This US article presents the findings from a qualitative research project with Vietnamese refugee women in Seattle, Washington, which focussed on the impacts of acculturation, changing gender roles, and cultural persistence on their experiences of domestic violence.

For us it is like living in the dark": Ethiopian women’s experiences with domestic violence
Sullivan M, Senturia K, Negash T et al. 2005, ‘"For us it is like living in the dark": Ethiopian women’s experiences with domestic violence’, Journal of interpersonal violence, Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 922-940, Record #3329

This US article presents the experiences of domestic violence among Ethiopian refugees and immigrants in America.

Human rights and the significance of psychosocial and cultural issues in domestic violence policy and intervention for refugee women
Rees S 2004, ‘Human rights and the significance of psychosocial and cultural issues in domestic violence policy and intervention for refugee women’, Australian journal of human rights, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 97-119, Record #3300

This Australian article examines research conducted into the wellbeing of East Timorese women asylum-seekers living in Australia and their experiences of domestic violence from a human rights perspective, and offers possible policy responses.

 

Culturally appropriate service provision for refugee women

Supporting survivors and securing access to housing for black minority ethnic and refugee women experiencing domestic violence in the UK
Banga B & Gill A 2008 ‘Supporting survivors and securing access to housing for black minority ethnic and refugee women experiencing domestic violence in the UK’ , Housing, care and support, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp.13-24, Record #4570

This UK article makes the case for specialist women’s refuge services to address the unique housing needs of black minority ethnic and refugee (BMER) women.

A review of literature relating to family and domestic violence in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia
WA Family and Domestic Violence Unit 2006, ‘A review of literature relating to family and domestic violence in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia’, Department for Community Development, Government of Western Australia, Perth, Record #3561

This West Australian report comprises a literature review and analysis of Australian research into implementing culturally appropriate and holistic responses to domestic violence in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, including refugee communities.

Understanding children, immigration, and family violence : a national examination of the issues
Das EM, McDonald J, Villanueva S et al. 2005, ‘Understanding children, immigration, and family violence : a national examination of the issues’, Family Violence Prevention Fund & Learning Systems Group, Washington DC, Record #3419

This US report provides best-practice recommendations aimed at improving domestic violence service provision to immigrant and refugee children and their families.

African communities forum on domestic violence report : working towards a collaborative approach to addressing family support and conflict within the African communities in Western Australia
WA Family and Domestic Violence Unit 2005, ‘African communities forum on domestic violence report : working towards a collaborative approach to addressing family support and conflict within the African communities in Western Australia’, Department of Community Development, Government of Western Australia, Perth, Record #3439

This Australian report details the findings and practice recommendations presented at a forum held to discuss the issue of family conflict in African communities in Western Australia.

Memorandum of advice to Minister of Health and Human Services : family violence – refugee and migrant issues of concern
Ambikapathy P 2004, ‘Memorandum of advice to Minister of Health and Human Services : family violence – refugee and migrant issues of concern’, Tasmanian Commissioner for Children, Hobart, Record #3239

This Memorandum of Advice from the Tasmanian Commissioner for Children to the Minister of Health and Human Services makes recommendations regarding the provision of appropriate information and services to address the complex needs of refugees experiencing family violence in Tasmania.

Rural research project: responding to domestic violence in a culturally diverse and rural context

Orlando D 2004, ‘Rural research project: responding to domestic violence in a culturally diverse and rural context’, Paper presented at the Home Truths Conference, 15 - 17 September, Sheraton Towers, Southgate, Melbourne, Record #3201
This Australian paper describes research undertaken in late 2003 and early 2004, which examined the extent to which the safety and related needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee women experiencing family violence have been met in rural Victoria.

 

Resources for service providers

From horror to hope : a training kit addressing domestic violence amongst refugee families who have settled in Australia [DVD]
Pittaway E 2005, ‘From horror to hope : a training kit addressing domestic violence amongst refugee families who have settled in Australia [DVD]’, Centre for Refugee Research, UNSW, Sydney, Record #3282

This training kit and DVD, developed using community development techniques by the Centre for Refugee Research at UNSW, is aimed at people working with newly-arrived refugee women and communities in Australia.

Information for NSW service providers : supporting women from culturally diverse backgrounds experiencing domestic violence
Central Coast Diverse Women against Violence and Abuse 2004, ‘Information for NSW service providers : supporting women from culturally diverse backgrounds experiencing domestic violence’, DWAVA, Sydney, Record #3445

This Australian resource provides information for NSW service providers on how to respond to and support women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee backgrounds who are experiencing domestic violence.

Resources for refugees

Violence in the family : information about family and domestic violence for people who have recently arrived in Western Australia
Family and Domestic Violence Unit 2005, ‘Violence in the family : information about family and domestic violence for people who have recently arrived in Western Australia [Amharic] [Arabic] [Chinese] [Croatian] [Dari] [English] [Farsi] [French] [Indonesian] [Khmer] [Kurdish] [Polish] [Portuguese] [Russian] [Serbian] [Somali] [Spanish] Swahili] [Vietnamese]’, Government of Western Australia, Department of Community Development, Perth, Record #3438
This brochure provides information about domestic and family violence to newly arrived immigrants and refugees in Western Australia.

Domestic violence plays in community languages [CD-ROM]
Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association 2005, ‘Domestic violence plays in community languages [CD-ROM]’, Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association Inc, Harris Park NSW, Record #3356

This Australian resource kit, available in five community languages, provides information for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee men and women about what domestic violence is, the Australian response to domestic violence and where to get help.