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

Many women from immigrant and refugee backgrounds face a higher risk of domestic violence compared to women born in Australia. Research shows that one in four Australian women has experienced violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15. However, a 2020 national survey of about 1,400 migrant and refugee women revealed that one in three had experienced domestic violence in the previous five years. The reasons behind this higher risk are complex and include cultural, social, and economic factors.

Women from migrant and refugee communities often face additional barriers to seeking help, such as stigma, financial dependence, and fears of social exclusion. These barriers can make it difficult for them to access the support they need to leave abusive relationships. Intimate partner violence is not limited to physical harm; it can also involve coercive control, which includes behaviors designed to dominate another person through intimidation, surveillance, financial control, emotional abuse, isolation, and the gradual removal of autonomy.

With the rise of technology, coercive control can now be facilitated through digital surveillance, making it even more challenging for victims to seek help and stay connected to others.

Cultural and religious beliefs can also play a significant role in shaping how coercive control and other forms of abuse are perceived and addressed. In some communities, social and cultural expectations may normalize verbal abuse, male dominance in decision-making, and the expectation that women should be compliant within relationships. The pressure to preserve the family unit can often outweigh a woman's personal safety, leading her to fear social exclusion if she discloses violence to her family or community.

Moreover, immigration status can become another tool of coercive control, particularly for women on temporary visas. These women may be dependent on their partners for their visa, fearing deportation, financial insecurity, and the potential loss of custody of their children if they report abuse. Current risk assessment practices may not adequately capture the cultural and migration-related aspects of coercive control, such as whether a woman relies on her partner for a visa or how cultural and gendered expectations are used as tools of control.

This oversight can result in important aspects being overlooked, making it even more challenging for these women to receive the necessary support and safety measures.