How the government’s new immigration policy will cause more trauma for victim-survivors of domestic violence
The changes run the risk that more women will remain silent and be forced to remain in violent and dangerous situations.
The Australian government's recent immigration policy changes, announced by Immigration Minister Tony Burke, may inadvertently increase trauma for victims of domestic violence, according to experts. This comes despite preliminary studies linking temporary migration to heightened risks of domestic violence, with one in three migrant and refugee women experiencing abuse during their stay in Australia.
Temporary visa holders, particularly those on partner visas, have access to support and a pathway to permanence, but the new crackdown on overstayers threatens to exacerbate the vulnerability of those already in abusive relationships. Burke's proposed policy includes increased detention for overstayers, which could compel women to remain silent about their situations due to fear of deportation.
Furthermore, the government's lack of specific provisions for victim-survivors of domestic violence signals a broader failure to address this critical issue. Advocates argue that the Albanese government must acknowledge the potential collateral damage to these women, and implement urgent reforms that incorporate existing knowledge of the migration system's impact on victims of domestic violence.
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