Listening deeply to refugee background women to understand experiences of domestic and family violence in their communities to foster engagement with global support systems

ABSTRACT

As trauma survivors, women and girls from refugee backgrounds face significant challenges when settling in host countries; the risk of domestic and family violence (DFV) accentuates these difficulties. Reflecting on findings from a seven-year university and industry research partnership, this article explores the etiology of DFV in women from refugee backgrounds living in non-metropolitan Australia. Drawing on action research principles and intersectional and social ecological theoretical frameworks, this study captured diverse women’s views about experiences and strategies for addressing DFV in refugee communities. Having developed trusting relationships with participants over the different study phases, the first author conducted in-depth interviews with women of refugee backgrounds, listening deeply and confirming findings with participants as they emerged. Interviews were also conducted with staff from settlement, health and specialist domestic violence services to offer a broad perspective on how best to support refugee women experiencing DFV. Key findings revealed stressors and support that impact violence, such as employment status and acculturation, and identification of who the women would trust if experiencing violence. By understanding the interweaving factors influencing women’s risk of DFV and strategies to address it, global healthcare providers will be better positioned to collaborate with refugee communities and specialist services.

KEYWORDS:

• Refugee
• women
• domestic and family violence
• healthcare

Acknowledgements

The authors received funding to undertake this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 According to the United Nations, violence against women is defined as ‘any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life’ (1993). Various terms are used to locate this abuse within the ‘domestic’ setting and there is some contention over the most suitable term (Women Against Abuse, 2023). For the purpose of this research, domestic and family violence (DFV) will be used to include intimate partner violence and coercion that occurs within a domestic setting.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Anglicare North Coast.