The State Government has provided funding to Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Service to deliver a new support and counselling service for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women who are impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence.
Family and domestic violence is experienced at disproportionately high rates by CALD women and children.
The grant will allow for a new trauma informed therapeutic counselling service that is culturally appropriate and that emphasises healing, recovery, and empowerment.
Embedding a culturally secure advocacy and therapeutic response for women in CALD communities is essential to reducing the barriers many women face to accessing services.
The service will include case management and counselling for clients in person or online, with peer support groups in Mirrabooka and outreach services in Ellenbrook and at metro TAFEs.
Funding of $300,000 is through the National Partnership on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-2023.
The grant comes on the 12th day of the 16 Days in WA campaign, which urges all Western Australians to make meaningful change to end family and domestic violence.
16 Days in WA runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) through to December 10 (Human Rights Day). The campaign takes its inspiration from the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
For a campaign kit, including a list of 16 ways to take action, visit: https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/16DaysinWA
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
“We know women from diverse communities are disproportionately affected by family and domestic violence.
“Isolation and language barriers are real challenges that can prevent women getting the help they need.
“It’s so important that there are culturally safe and appropriate places for women from a range of communities to get support, and these services will provide a number of options for women to get that help.”
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Tony Buti:
“Western Australia is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse States in the country, so it’s important these sorts of initiatives are in place.
“We want to ensure everyone is able to reach out for help if they’re affected by domestic violence – whatever their background.”
