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SUBMISSION INTO FINANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFERENCES COMMITTEE‟S INQUIRY INTO FAMILY VIOLENCE (FV)

The Australasian Centre For Human Rights and Health (ACHRH) was launched September 2012 . ACHRH vision is to happy communities. We aim to achieve that by building individual and community resilience through harmony in the home, positive mental health, and collective cultural respect. ACHRH primarily works with immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent. ACHRH is a think tank that engages in community based research and runs community based education activities that are evidence based . ACHRH works with the Governmental authorities to influence policy. ACHRH looks to find new and innovative methods to researching and finding solutions to the problem of gender power imbalance and Domestic Violence in the Indian and South Asian community. ACHRH also supports migrant settlement into Australia through cultural awareness, understanding and appreciation among migrants of Australian mainstream cultural values. ACHRH has been funded by the Commonwealth of Australia to conduct ACHRH designed Australian Culture Awareness course for migrants titled ―Mutual Cultural Respect‖.

FOREWORD

ACHRH welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee‘s inquiry into family violence (FV) on the prevalence and impact of this in Australia. In considering the terms of reference this submission will be limited to commenting on the Ethnic and Cultural context of the following:

a) the role of cultural factors contributing to the present levels of domestic violence;

b) the adequacy of policy and community responses to domestic violence

c) how the Federal Government can best support, contribute to and drive the social, cultural and behavioural shifts required to eliminate violence against women and their children.

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INTRODUCTION

The commitment towards preventing violence against women by the Commonwealth Government is second to none in the world and is note worthy. There has been massive increase in funding yet no corresponding decrease in the rate of Domestic Violence (DV) has been recorded. In Victoria alone recording 72% increase in DV has been noted since 2005(ABS 2005,2012) .

Our submission makes recommendations from the perspective of Ethnic and CALD community groups. DV is a highly complex social issue(Heisse 2008,2009) and the point of this submission is that the role of cultural knowledge is the key to the successful implementation of programs that seek to influence levels of DV. Cultural knowledge is crucial to early intervention , to avoid crisis and tragedies such as murders and suicides of adult women, men and children witnessed in Victoria in particular in the Indian community (Bucci 2012)and mainstream communities (Holden , 2014). To make a strategy effective culturally nuanced education in ethnic communities will result in effective delivery of messages(ECCV Report 2014). Such education programs must be based on evidence gathered by research in particular qualitative research conducted within culturally homogenous groups. The goal of such qualitative research should be to collect data on nuanced insider cultural knowledge held within the ethnic cultural group under focus . Thus unique experience of the victims of DV and that of the perpetrators which are inevitably coloured by cultural practices and traditions can be identified ,and voiced by the members of the community and recorded. This information can then be utilized for designing messages that speak to specific cultural groups in their own cultural language(ECCV Report 2013) and more likely to hit home , enhancing the rate of success of primary, secondary and tertiary interventions. It is a myth that by labeling all immigrants as CALD or Ethnic ,and a simple generic approach can benefit all migrants . Immigrants come from over 200 countries (ABS 2012)and require culturally nuanced messages regarding gender based and family relationships. For example a message for an Indian family will be couched in a different way to the one for Turkish and different again for a Sudanese family, although the message for the Indian family could be similar to the one for Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan but the spoken language would vary . ACHRH recommends a strong

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Commonwealth Government focus on support and funding DV projects by the ethnically homogenous groups for their community and can be labeled ―Ethno-specific Taskforce‖

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Australia is a multicultural country. Australia shows its respect for the culture of its migrants by practicing multiculturalism which cherishes the culture and diversity the migrants bring to its shores(Berry 1986 ). This affords a sense of stability and better mental health in migrants(Chandler and Lolande2009). Maintenance of cultural traditions poses certain challenges when the migrant cultures meet the host culture. Migrant intake has increased rapidly in the past two decades (ABS 2008-9). By and large migrants are younger in age and mentally fit and agile to move countries. Migration brings a disruption in life at many levels and cause stress, racism, loss of housing, loss of status, lack of recognition of educational qualifications, under -employment. Social stressors also include-disruption in social support systems, loss of family and traditions, challenge to gender based roles(Bhugra 2011). Vichealth 2009 report mentions higher rates of Domestic Violence in CALD communities. A 2013 ECCV Report espouses the concept of designing culturally nuanced education /information using adult educational interactive strategies that speaks to the migrant groups as a more effective way of fighting DV. ACHRH recommends ‗Ethno-specific Taskforce‘ designed by culturally homogenous community for use by the same group. Detailed below is the example of such a Taskforce formed in the Indian community in 2009. As a case study we offer the example of ‗Taskforce against Domestic Violence(DV) in Indian Ethnic Community‘ that was established in November 2009 .The Taskforce was founded by Dr Manjula O‘Connor under the umbrella of ‗Australia India Society of Victoria‘ and was titled ―AISV Taskforce against domestic violence in ethnic Indian community‖ . In 2012 September Dr O‘Connor founded the Australasian Centre for Human rights and Health which has carried forward culturally based work against DV in Indian and South Asian community.

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History of Formation of „Ethno-specific Taskforce Against Domestic Violence in Indian Ethnic Community‟

Rationale The initial reason for setting up the Taskforce was frequent anecdotal reports of DV stories in the Indian community .The service usage rate however was anecdotally low. A telephone survey of based DV services conducted by the Taskforce in 2009 revealed there was an extremely low uptake, possibly about 5% of possible South Asian victims were using services suggesting significant barriers to services for women from India and the Indian subcontinent.

Scope and Nature of the problem The next issue we confronted was a lack of academic knowledge on the nature of DV in the Australian Indian migrants, possible prevalence and the reasons for the barriers. The Taskforce along with its professional and academic partners designed a qualitative research study which was community based action research using ‗Forum Theater‘. The research project yielded qualitative cultural data on the nature of DV in Indian migrants of Australia. This provided a wealth of data as well as galvanized the community into action. The data has generated two articles for peer reviewed journals and has yielded rich information which has formed the basis of on-going community based education and awareness programs, media campaigns.

Goals achieved Community Education The Taskforce has enhanced the impact of the general increase in awareness of DV and its criminal nature by the community. ACHRH has designed a brochure against DV labeled “Say No To Domestic Violence”. The brochure highlights certain cultural behaviours that are seen only in Indian and some South Asian communities for example demands for dowry can be

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associated with DV. The Brochure draws attention to the fact that economic coercion and fear is labeled DV and is against the law

Enhanced Crisis and Support service usage Anecdotal reports suggest a greater service uptake by the DV victims be they residents or international students. They are utilizing Police, DV services, medical and psychological services including GP s, and mental health professionals. Another encouraging trend noted by ACHRH crisis and support services is couples seeking help in situations of marital conflict before it becomes violence or in early stages where separation is not considered and option by both parties. This is reflected in the crisis and support services for victims run by Dr Manjula O‘Connor in her private practice as a Psychiatrist specializing in DV in Indian and ethnic communities . This trend started in 2012 and is more evident in 2013. The service is also increasingly sought by men some whom are perpetrators and some victims. ACHRH provides free telephone counseling and internet support to women from Victoria and interstate

Support Networks ACHRH has recently established and is continuously developing Youth Network which supports and connects young women and young men from Indian and ethnic backgrounds. Victims of DV are hooked into the networks as means of establishing new friendships and interests.

Preventive measures The Taskforce commits time and its own private funds for projects that can be labeled as Preventive education and awareness raising campaigns. Community based educational activities use street theater, films, documentaries are held . The stories expose following issues -- male dominance, female inequality, culturally practiced ways of inculcating fear and a sense of inferiority in women and girls‘ minds.

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ACHRH uses traditional festivals and functions such as Diwali ,Holi, International Women‘s Day and White Ribbon Day, Fashion shows .

Media Campaigns Ethnic print media, mainstream media , Television , Social media are utilized to keep up the education and awareness on the issue. Community TV with elaborate information on cultural expression of male dominance, control, fear , emotional abuse, dowry demands related violence, multiple perpetrators including has been aired and another is being bid for. Mother-in-law, father –in-law, brother-in-law whether they live in Australia or India can be all perpatrotrs. A regular opinion piece and articles in the ethnic media containing information and education via real case histories is printed. The pieces demonstrate DV behaviors, attitudes underlying such behaviors and possible ways of conducting harmonious gender based relationships . Where to get help is always added such as location of service providers, how to reach them; how to access the Justice System.

Advocacy ACHRH maintains contact with authorities such as LGA, State Government authorities, Faith based organizations. Policy papers are regularly written on the pressing issues A recent example is Dowry related DV in Indian and ethnic communities . Paper on ‗Dowry Demands and Domestic Violence in the Indian Community‘ was handed to the Minister for Social Services The Hon Kevin Andrews, to Victorian Minister for Community Services The Hon and to the Hon Ted Baillieu, Former . ACHRH started a petition in November 2013 demanding Victorian FV Legislation against DV 2008 include dowry demands as an example of Economical Abuse with civil and criminal sanctions. It was signed by 160 people and was tabled by The Hon

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Ted Baillieu in the Victorian Parliament in March 2014 and the same petition was signed by another 200 people and introduced by the Hon Ted Baillieu in July 2014. The push to change the laws is currently under review by the Victorian Government

The community owned projects make for a strong foundation that can work closely with service providers. Service providers will benefit from the close relationship with communities. We put forward a case for better prevention and intervention programs through ‗Ethno-specific Taskforce against Domestic Violence‘. This would bring together men and women in the fight against DV. The potential of locally based Taskforce to enhance linkages between the migrants of the same ethnic group and reduce isolation and disempowerment of new migrant women is strong

A more detailed report on India Specific Taskforce against Domestic Violence is attached below Appendix 1. Appendix 2 – Information Brochure for Indian and South Asian men and women designed by ACHRH ―SAY NO TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE‖

Recommendations a. Ownership of the fight against DV requires a top down approach from the Federal Government in combination with the „Foundation for Prevention of Domestic Violence‟ to incentives the communities to form „Ethno-specific Taskforce against DV‟ . b. The Taskforce formation will follow a set template c. Community based interventions designed to be based on “Qualitative Evidence” collected by the community in conjunction with academic input

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d. Change to be guided with the help of professionals supported by the Government using community accepted means of engaging such as festivals and other community based activities. e. Rewards for volunteers - men and women need to be built into the system for the change to gain currency , momentum and maintenance

References:

Australian Bureau of Statistics & Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2005). The Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. ABS Cat No 4704.0. Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Commonwealth of Australia.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012). Australian Bureau of Statistics Personal Safety Survey. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ABS+Personal+Safety+Survey.2012.&rls=com.microsof t:en-au&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF- 8&startIndex=&startPage=1&rlz=1I7SKPB_en&gfe_rd=cr&ei=70aVU9HAB8zC8gfhtYD4BQ&g ws_rd=ssl.

Berry, J. W. (1980). Acculturation as varieties of adaptation. In A. M. Padilla (Ed.). Acculturation: Theory, models and some new findings (pp. 9–26). Boulder: Westview.

Bhugra, D., Gupta, S., Bhui, K., Craig, T., Dogra, N. J., Ingleby, D., Kirkbride, J., Moussaoui, D., Nazroo, J., Qureshi, A. T., and Tribe, R. (2011). WPA Guidelines on mental health and mental illness of migrants. World Psychiatry, 10(1), 2–10.

Bucci, N. (2012, October 6). Murder suicides linked to secrecy by psychiatrist. The Age pp 7.

Chandler, M. J. & Lalonde, C. E. (2008). Cultural Continuity as a Protective Factor against Suicide in First Nations Youth. Horizons --A Special Issue on AboriginalYouth, Hope or Heartbreak: Aboriginal Youth and Canada’s Future. 10(1), 68-72.

Colucci, E, O`Connor, M, Field, K, Baroni, A, Pryor, R, & Minas, H, (2013). Nature of domestic/family violence and barriers to services among Indian immigrant women. Alterstice. International Journal of Intercultural Research (Special Issue: Intimate partner violence and cultural diversity), 3 http://journal.psy.ulaval.ca/ojs/index.php/ARIRI/article/view/Alterstice3%282%29/pdf.

ECCV.2013. Policy Research Paper “Women Surviving Violence” http://eccv.org.au/library/ECCV_Policy_research_paper_Women_Surviving_Violence_2013.pdf

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Family Violence Protection Act (2008).

Godman, L., Rosenberg, S., Mueser, K., & Drake, R. (1997). Physical and sexual assault history in women with serious mental illness. Prevalence, correlates, treatment and future research directions. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 23 685-696.doi: 10.1093/schbul/23.4.685. Holden A. The growing problem of family violence in Victoria. Editorial Opinion, The Age, 2nd February 2014. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/a-bereft- mothers-insightful-message-20140214-32ron.html#ixzz31fobPOfY

Hegarty K, Hindmarsh E, Gilles MT. (2000). Domestic violence in Australia: definition, prevalence and nature of presentation in clinical practice. MJA 2000; 173: 363-7.

Heise L, Ellsberg M, Gottemoeller M (1999). Ending Violence Against Women, Population Reports, Series L, No. 11. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.

Heise LL (1998). Violence against women: an integrated, ecological framework. Violence Against Women; 4: 262-290.

Kleiman R (2014). The Growing Problem of Domestic Violence in Victoria. The Age 27th March 2014. Retrieved from http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-growing-problem-of-family-violence-in- victoria- 20140326-35in9.html?skin=text-only http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubStatbook.nsf/f932b66241ecf1 b7ca256e92000e23be/083D69EC540CD748CA2574CD0015E27C/$FILE/08-52a.pdf.

O’Connor, M. & Colluci, E., (2014). In press. Exploring domestic violence and social distress in Australian-Indian migrants through community participatory theater. Journal of Transcultural Psychiatry.

SBS News. 5 August 2013. Luke Waters “ Dowry Related violence sparks call for reform” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXhBwFxwU9Y&feature=youtu.be

Shidhaye R, & Patel, V (2010). Association of socio-economic, gender and health factors with common mental disorders in women: a population-based study of 5703 married rural women in India. International Journal of Epidemiology; 39: 1510-1521.

VicHealth (2009). National survey on community attitudes to violence against women: Available at: http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/Publications/Freedom-from-violence/National-Community- Attitudes-towards-Violence-Against-Women-Survey-2009.aspx (Accessed April 20, 2013)

Victoria Police. Statistics. Melbourne, Australia, (2013). http://www.google.com.au/url?url=http://www.police.vic.gov.au/retrievemedia.asp%3FMedia_I D%3D84499&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=xbWXU4D6B8qMkwWWnoHoAw&ved=0CB kQFjAB&sig2=VFt7OXZJ62HCCybC1IZuSA&usg=AFQjCNGGSv8Uw74dR_dgO4cR- pjTrAZGpA

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World Health Organization 2001. Putting women first. Ethical and safety considerations for research on domestic violence against women World Health Organization (2005). WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women: Initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women’s responses. Geneva: World Health Organization. World Health Organization (2008). Intimate partner violence and women’s physical and mental health in the multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence: an observational study. The Lancet; 371: 1165–1172.

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APPENDIX 1

DETAILED INFORMATION

TASKFORCE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIAN ETHNIC COMMUNITY

This paper uses the model of Taskforce designed by Dr Manjula O‘Connor in 2009 to expand on the ideas stated above. ‗The AISV Taskforce against domestic violence in Indian and ethnic communities‘ under the umbrella of Australia India Society of Victoria was formed in 2009 and in January 2013 commenced its work under the umbrella of ―Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health‖ as ―ACHRH Taskforce Against Domestic Violence‖ (www.achrh.org) The Indian community and South Asian Community has grown very rapidly in Australia, and in Victoria. Current ABS numbers suggest 200,000 Indians and 40,000 Nepalese and smaller numbers of Sri Lankans and Bhutanis live in Victoria. But culturally informed services lag behind. Anecdotal reports of rising rates of DV episodes in certain suburbs with large Indian community was backed up by Police statistics reports between 2007/8 and 2011/12(Victorian police report 2012 . Our concern was sadly realized with 13 homicides and suicides in the Indian community in 2011/12 (Bucci , The Age).

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Our aim was to form a community owned structure that was cultural specific in addressing educational and raising awareness on a model similar to the one designed by vichealth for multifaith organizations. The Taskforce felt the need to learn about the nature of DV in the migrant Indian population. This information we felt would help prepare tools for education and prevention and enhance service usage of women of Indian heritage.

STEPS

Our Taskforce examined the question as to what type of community intervention would

galvanises the community into action . STEP 1

Membership • Health professionals from within the community. Medical -GP ,Psychiatrist . Allied health- Psychologist, Social worker, Counsellor • Community leaders- Individuals women, men • DV Service Provider service representative • Academic Researchers to help explore and understand the problem • Immigration Department – to devise help strategies for migrants before they arrive • Local Consulate/ Embassy - help migrants after they arrive • Magistrate Court liaison officers- courts to understand the cultural issues and enforce the law • Police liaison officer- to enhance cultural understanding and enforce the law • Lawyers- enhance awareness of cultural issues to facilitate help for women and children • DV Victims and survivors – community individual input

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STEP 2

 Review research and gathered evidence on service uptake by our particular ethnic group-The Indian community. • Telephone contact with other stakeholders and what they were doing to address the issue. • Compile information to inform the future program, events and community based initiatives.

STEP 3

Interventions

Primary prevention – Community education / awareness programs to identify and reflect back to the community peer group pressures and cultural influences, gender norms and child rearing practices . Secondary prevention • Medical health care providers we felt needed to become engaged with the issue Doctors have traditionally kept out of DV and yet GP s are the first port of call for most women in early of DV. It was our view that doctors can play a key role in early intervention • Health policy-makers can support the efforts by rewarding medical practitioners with financial remuneration for treating complex cases of DV in a manner similar to Diabetes Tertiary prevention Medical systems are often a safe point of contact for victims of DV who are physically and mentally unwell as a result of on-going DV. The Taskforce can engage with the

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local doctors to become a point of contact to support ethnic women of their cultural group when safe to do so. Justice system- Tertiary, secondary and primary prevention provides the stick and legal punishment as the best deterrent and prevention of violence. Community based education for men particularly on legal consequences of behaviours that are called DV can be run by The Taskforce.

Keeping the above in view the Taskforce membership design and create culturally sensitive projects to strengthen the fight against Domestic Violence(DV) in the community . Rewards in the form of awards, acknowledgements and funds to support the community members, the Taskforce volunteers is essential

Role of Government Governments have a significant role to play by improving public dialogue and communications by involving the migrant groups. By helping to develop greater levels of trust for risk prevention among all interested parties. Government can help to develop sound strategies that manage risk uncertainties and consider carefully a range of ethical and other issues.

. RESEARCH AND QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTION

Following the telephone survey of DV services in 2009 that revealed perhaps 5% of possible victims were using services it became important to understand why that was the case . Literature survey revealed lack of adequate information and academic papers on the nature of DV in Australian Indian migrants. The Taskforce along with its professional and academic partners planned and conducted a community based action research project using Forum Theater. 165 women took part in this study. This provided a wealth of qualitative data on the nature and barriers to use of DV

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services. The project was conducted in collaboration with the and Drummond Street Services. We used Forum Theater to expose the nature of DV in Indian ethnic community. We held 3 Focus Groups with 20 women each, and 4 community Theater performances of 40 women each .Total 165 women took part. The data yielded valuable cultural knowledge on the nature of DV here in Indian migrants and the connections between DV and mental and emotional problems caused by DV . (Colluci et al 2013; O’Connor 2013 a and 2013 b) It also educated and galvanized the community by giving voice to unspeakable secrets. All conversations were recorded and analyzed statistically . To the best of our knowledge this is the only community theater project in the world that has been used to generate research data on DV (Colluci et al 2013) . This research project has given rise to two academic papers( O‘Connor and Colluci 2013 ), Letter to editor of Bristish Journal of Psychiatry (O‘Connor 2011), submission to Senate enquiry in Suicide (O‘Connor 2009).

Community action research project through Modified Forum Theater inside Sikh Temple in Tarniet 12 May 2011(left) and at a Balwyn Community Hall(right)

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY CELEBRATIONS –2011

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8/3/2011 Theme ―Men and Women united to end violence against women and girls. Attended by 160 women

8/3/2012 Theme –―Peaceful March against female feticide‖ and signed a petition – 40 people.

8/3/2013 IWD theme - ACHRH Taskforce was represented at UN WOMEN CSW 57 at NY . IWD March. 170 people marched from UN Building to 5th Avenue .Theme ―Women and Productivity‖

14/3/ 2013 IWD --- ACHRH Taskforce was represented at the Sikh Council of Victoria , Theme ―Mental Health impact of Domestic Violence‖ Attended by 110 women.

WHITE RIBBON DAYS 7 November 2011 – Theme ―Men can be a part of the solution‖ 150 peopla 4 December 2012 - Theme ―Family Harmony‖. Venue Tarneit Sikh Temple(White Ribbons funded by Office of Women)400 people 25 and 18 November 2013- White Ribbon Day 2013 at Keysboroguh Sikh Gurdwara and Tarniet Sikh Temple ― Men can be a part of the solution-positive leadership ‖ Hypothetical case discussion – 400 people

White ribbon day South Asian Communities ―Men can be a part of the solution‖ 6 Nov 2011.Attneded by 150 man and women of Indian and South Asian origin

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7 December 2013 White Ribbon Day with Narankari Mission, Hon Ted Baillieu as Guest of Honour

Professional Conference at Melbourne University on the nature of DV and challenges for Indian Community

The Taskforce with the University of Melbourne convened a conference on ‗Culture and gender abuse in Indian Culture‘ for professionals in December 2011, attended by 50-60 professionals and help providers. The conference was well received

Primary Prevention via Community based education during Festivals ACHRH joins in community festivals to promote the message of ‗harmful effects of Gender inequlaty, male dominance, sexual jealousy‘.

Festivals where young people congregate like Holi, Diwali are vehicles to spread the message .

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5 minute skit on jelaousy and control by husband at Holi festival of colour, March 2013. The Skit was followed by volunteer actors giving facts on DV and where to go for help. Festival at Bundoora Park was attended by 1000 people .

ACHRH Taskforce in partnersip with Mental Health Foundation of vic at Diwali festival , Geelong. Attended by 150 people. 4 December 2012. White Ribbon Oath was taken by many men. Brief 5 minute speech on the the facts on DV in Indian community and brochure ‗say no to domestic violence‘ were given out .

ACHRH Taskforce Silver Sponsored the Inaugural White Ribbon Conference ‗Global to Local‘ held in Sydney on 13-14 May 2013. This conference highlighted what needs to be done to promote positive role men can play in prevention of DV in all cultures.

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ACHRH silver sponsored inaugural White Ribbon Conference. Dr Manjula O‘Connor with CEO White Ribbon Australia Libby Davies

In June 2013 ACHRH Taskforce was invited to participate in networking event for Business Executives of Indian origin . The women executives were invited to speak on empowerment of women through business and lack of Indian women in business. Dr Manjula O‘Connor spoke on behalf of the Taskforce. She invited the audience(comprised primarily of Indian men) to recognize male privileges afforded to men of Indian culture and relative inequality, dominance and lack of opportunities for women in Indian culture and home. The impact of such upbringing promotes low confidence and self- doubt in women. That in itself handicaps those women who are looking for bigger roles in the business world.

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Community Ownership and Peer group support of victims The concept of ownership has helped Indian community. More and more Indian women are coming forward to seek help. This message has spread to Pakistani communities and the women seek the help of Indian Taskforce. When the women have recovered and are strong they offer and are able to support other victims of DV and take part in community educational activities. Those who feel confident to speak up on issues related to DV often take part in public speaking. For example SBS News (Luke Waters 5/8/13) two Indian women who had been victims came forward and spoke about their experiences with demands for Dowry by husbands and in-laws and related DV. By speaking up they wanted to help other women by placing the issue for discussion in public arena. Women survivors are linked with current victims to provide support and guidance on using services. The survivors are mentored and supported by Dr Manjula O‘Connor.

September 2013- ACHRH initiated a petition to bring dowry under the Victorian FV Legislation 2008. We collected 160 signatures. And another 200 signatures during other festivals . This petition was tabled in March 2014 by Ted Baillieu in Vic Parliament October 2013- At Diwali Festival in Sandown Park and at Ballarat the Taskforce has been invited to perform a play. The Play was scripted by Indian volunteers , professional film directors and writers . We chose the theme of unequal treatment for women and male dominance in a family depicted in particular Indian style.

Future Projects September 2014-

December 2014 /Jan 2015 --- A theater based research project featuring workshops for Indian men combined with women will be commenced . In a safe environment the men will

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be encouraged to examine their attitudes. The men will be asked to take leadership role in a positive sense and encourage other men to introspect.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION OF WORK AT GLOBAL LEVEL

Taskforce does regular presentations of its work locally, nationally and internationally at learned conferences. Two presentations on the work of the Taskforce at the UN Women CSW 57 Conference in March 2013 on ―Ending Violence against women and girls‖ were well received. (O‘Connor 2013a and 2013 b )

In March 2012 a presentation at UK London conference on World Association of Psychiatry on Community Participatory Theater action research project on Domestic Violence to international audiences was well received.

The Taskforce also works in partnership with Centre for Social Research in New Delhi, India. We have presented our work at their meetings in India and at UN in New York, March 2013.

CRISIS WORK AND LONG TERM SUPPORT

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There is greater mental health and professional service uptake by the DV victims, by women, by international students. The encouraging trend is one of couples seeking help. This is reflected in the crisis and support services for victims (Personal Communication Dr Manjula O‘Connor Private Psychiatrist 2014). This trend of using the service started in 2011 and more markedly evident in 2013 and 2014. The service is also sought by men some whom are perpetrators and some victims. Intervention during acute stages of DV is offered by the Taskforce to victims of DV , Women and men from India, Sri Lanka , Pakistan and Nepal have so far been assisted by mental health professionals of the Taskforce. On-going therapeutic support and rehabilitation is provided.

OUTCOME Including the Forum Theater project The Taskforce has carried out 30 COMMUNITY based projects in the Indian community during the past 4 years up to July 2013. Three future projects are planned. Events like International women‘s day, White Ribbon Days are held each year. In addition The Taskforce utilizes the traditional festivals like Holi and Diwali where there are large community gatherings to create community education and awareness programs with dramas created by the team. Festivals are utilized as vehicles to reach people who cannot be reached through other means

PUBLICATIONS

Academic -Two academic papers have been submitted for publication in learned journals A letter to editor of British Journal of Psychiatry and a submission to Senate enquiry and hearing on Suicide has been written.

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Numerous presentations have been made at community meetings and learned conferences.

Brochure—―SAY NO TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE” s designed on the basis of data obtained in our community participatory research with the women of Indian community was launched in April 2013 at Victorian Parliament house printed in English. 1000 brochures have been handed out. It has had two print runs. It is currently getting translated in Punjabi and will be placed in Sikh Temples.

Media Campaign -The data generated has given rise to material for monthly articles printed in the Indian ethnic media since 2009. Approximately 35 articles have appeared in ethnic Indian newspapers covering many aspects of DV. Many articles appear in mainstream print and TV media

A regular Blog on DV related issues by Dr Manjula can be found on www.achrh.org

We estimate our Taskforce has reached more than 30,000-40,000 people of Indian and South Asian Community in Victoria and unknown numbers in NSW, ACT and QUEENSLAND .

AWARDS • The President of India recognized the work of AISV Taskforce against Domestic Violence in January 2013 for raising human rights for Indian women in Australia. • The Chair of the Taskforce Dr Manjula O‘Connor received Victorian Governments Multi-cultural award of excellence in ‗Service Delivery To Women‘s Health‘ In December 2012. • Certificate of Appreciation of work on Prevention of Domestic Violence in Indian Community by the South Asian Community Link Group. 21 March 2014.

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Australasian Centre for Human Rights and Health www.achrh.org 394 Beach Road , Beaumaris Victoria Australia 3193

In summary the Taskforce against domestic violence in Indian ethnic community has fulfilled following goals • Mapping of the local resources • Action Research – collecting valuable cultural data and galvanising the community simultaneously • Community Engagement • Community Education • Give Voice To Unspeakable Secrets • Greater uptake of DV related services by women, men and couples

RECOMMENDATION The community owned projects make for a strong foundation that can work closely with service providers. Service providers will benefit from the close relationship with communities. We put forward a case for better prevention and intervention programs through ‗Ethno-specific Taskforce against Domestic Violence‘. This would bring together men and women in the fight against DV. The potential of locally based Taskforce to enhance linkages between the migrants of the same ethnic group and reduce isolation and disempowerment of new migrant women is strong

APPENDIX 2 ACHRH Brochure for use by Indian and South Asian women attached ―Say No To Domestic Violence‖ This brochure is printed every month in Indian Ethnic Magazine ―Santa Banta‖

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