Leaving abusive relationships can be harder for migrant women. Here’s what they need to feel safe

Abusive relationships can be particularly challenging for migrant women to leave, often due to unique cultural and social factors. In traditional cultures and religious contexts, women are taught to accept hardship quietly, which can lead to feelings of shame and defeat when admitting to abuse. This reluctance to seek help is heightened when the abuse is normalized within their community due to social and cultural expectations, as well as the fear of family and community exclusion.

Migrant and refugee women face additional barriers such as language limitations, lack of knowledge about available services, mistrust of authorities, and the possibility of immigration status being used as a tool of coercive control.

Official data on the prevalence of domestic violence among migrant and refugee communities in Australia is limited, but a 2020 national survey of 1,400 women revealed that one in three had experienced domestic violence in the past five years. Intimate partner violence can manifest in various ways, not just physical harm, but also through coercive control, which can involve intimidation, surveillance, financial control, emotional abuse, isolation, and the gradual removal of autonomy.

This form of abuse can be especially difficult to recognize, particularly if cultural and religious beliefs emphasize women's submission to male authority.

Risk assessments conducted by authorities often fail to account for cultural and migration-related aspects of coercive control. For instance, women's reliance on their partner for a visa or the influence of cultural and gendered expectations on their experiences of abuse may not be adequately considered. To address these issues, Australia's National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022–32 identifies culturally and linguistically diverse women as a priority population.

However, to truly make a difference, women from migrant and refugee communities must be involved from the beginning in designing the response. This includes building services that are culturally safe, trauma-informed, and accessible, as well as involving community education, religious leaders, and professional interpreters. Frontline responders, including police, health-care professionals, and domestic violence practitioners, must also be trained to assess risk holistically, recognizing how culture, religion, migration, and gender expectations can influence women's experiences of abuse.

Ultimately, every woman deserves to be heard, believed, and protected, without having to choose between her safety, self-respect, and social acceptance.