A community forum aimed at promoting intervention and prevention of family violence against multicultural women and girls was held in Epping on 4 December.
The event was held by Whittlesea Community Connections as part of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence global campaign running from November 25 to December 10.
Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights client services director Mariam Deng said barriers to seeking help are not static for multicultural women.
“Barriers are always moving and changing,” she said.
Ms Deng said having an interpreter is crucial to understanding these barriers which can include language, cultural practices, financial reliance and caring for children.
“Having an interpreter means being able to understand, and be understood,” she said.
“It allows the woman to be part of intervention, the woman existed before the family violence.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said language barriers and the fear of not understanding the law can be isolating.
“This is not a big impediment, there are interpreting services available,” he said.
He said police spend whole days training to respond to different family violence scenarios using actors from diverse communities.
“We teach to impact the next generation of police officers,” he said.
“Family violence doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion or any characteristic.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence seek help from police or a support service.
1800RESPECT is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.
In an emergency call triple-0.
