A Minns Labor Government will partner with Settlement Services International (SSI) to establish a new specialist multicultural domestic and family violence centre in Southwest Sydney.
The centre, to be located in an existing, repurposed SSI site, will increase accessibility to services and safety for migrant and refugee women by having holistic, well-informed and culturally appropriate responses to gender inequality and domestic and family violence in New South Wales, and will help thousands of women every year.
Unlike other states including Victoria and Queensland, New South Wales does not have a specialist service to address the additional complexities experienced by migrants and refugees in domestic and family violence situations.
“It’s hard enough just being a new migrant or a refugee trying to find your feet and start a new life in Australia. It’s even harder if you’re a victim of domestic and family violence as well,” NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns MP, said.
“That’s why a Labor government I lead will deliver the specialised services new migrants and refugees need, because people who are facing domestic and family violence should never be left behind.”
NSW Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper, also said: “New migrants and refugees facing domestic and family violence need someone who can speak their language, who understands their culture, and someone who they can trust. That’s why dedicated services for new migrants and for multicultural communities are so important.”
A national study into the experiences of migrant and refugee women showed one in three migrant women in Australia have experienced domestic violence. Additionally, domestic Violence related assaults have increased 5.7 per cent across Sydney’s South West over the past five years.
Recognition of the need for specialisation of services is a key element of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-32.
