“There are already many barriers to a woman seeking help when she is living at home with the person abusing her – and some may still be trying to understand the signs and what’s going on for them.
“It is important they have access to information so they know who to call when they are ready to reach out for help.”
Bendigo Community Health Services Cultural Diversity and Relationships manager Kaye Graves said the partnership with the Centre For Non-Violence was important in raising awareness through the refugee communities about family and domestic violence.
“Creating awareness is the best way to bring about change on such an important issue and this partnership has brought together the skills of two great organisations to deliver meaningful and simple messaging to ensure refugee communities understand more about domestic and family violence,” Ms Graves said.
“These resources have good messaging around not only the different types of domestic and family violence but what people should do if they are experiencing this behaviour.
“This work sits perfectly with the information sheets and videos we have been producing since March to keep the Karen, Afghan and South Sudanese communities safe from Coronavirus and updated as restrictions and rules change.
“We urge anyone from the Karen community who has questions around domestic and family violence and wants to talk to one of our Karen-speaking staff to call our free hotline on 5406 1254 or call/text the new mobile number 0437 418 984.”
Watch the first video in Karen language:
Watch the first video in Dari language
Watch the first video in Dinka language
Some important contact information
Centre for Non-Violence: 1800 884 292
Safe Steps 24-hour statewide family violence response centre crisis response line: 1800 015 188
In Touch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence: 1800 755 988
In Touch is a statewide specialist family violence response service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and their families and communities: www.intouch.org.au
If you are in immediate danger: Call 000 straight away.
Media contacts
Centre for Non-Violence
Nicole Ferrie 5430 3000
Bendigo Community Health Services
Rod Case 5406 1229 or 0418 147 560
Last updated: September 23, 2020
