When we discuss gendered violence, we often frame things in terms of diversity, but research from the University of Queensland highlights that, in Australia at least, policy and services still tend to be based primarily on the experience of white, Anglo-settler women.

The researchers quizzed 31 frontline workers from a range of domestic violence organizations, as well as from refugee resettlement organizations and organizations supporting migrant women experiencing violence.

Blame game

The results show that domestic and family violence in migrant and refugee communities is often heavily racialized and usually blamed on the culture of those involved. For instance, some of the workers suggested that the culture of those involved contributed to the violence against women or that it resulted in women putting up with it in a way that native women would not.

One Anglo-settler worker from a mainstream domestic violence organization said:

Maybe they’re not used to having freedoms and rights and protection […] I’ve just noticed that women from perhaps African countries or Middle Eastern countries, possibly refugee women […] have a much higher tolerance I would say to violence […] they put up with a lot before reaching out.

Suffice to say, the conversation is usually very different when white women experience violence, with the focus usually on what prevents them from leaving the relationship rather than anything about white culture. By not doing this for migrant women, it often results in very real systemic problems and social inequalities being ignored.

On the margins

The researchers highlight how culturally and linguistically diverse services have emerged but they have not really been integrated into mainstream services and policy, which continue to cater primarily to Anglo-settler Australians.

This can deepen stereotyping based on the supposed culture of migrants, with some workers suggesting that they were only referred to certain clients because there was an assumption that they shared cultural backgrounds or history. What’s more, such culturally diverse services are often heavily underfunded compared to more mainstream services. This lack of funding can often result in services being overwhelmed by demand.

As such, the researchers believe it’s time that women are not referred based on cultural stereotypes but instead referred to mainstream services. It’s time the voices of refugee and migrant women experiencing domestic violence are heard and recognized in mainstream policies and programs. Policies and services should critically reflect on the cultures and inequalities within mainstream systems.