Some big challenges face people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Logan.
Youth off the Streets has launched “consent and respect” programs, which operations manager Michelle Ackerman said aimed to connect with culturally diverse communities and support young people to understand respect, consent, safety and what a healthy relationship looks like.
“Our project has connected with young people to build their confidence in speaking out and raising awareness, as well as working with cultural leaders to ensure community solutions are championed by their communities,” Ms Ackerman said.
The program is targeted at Islamic, African, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIAP+ young people and communities from low socio-economic background across Logan.
The programs have received state government grant money.
Another to receive assistance is the Bangle Foundation’s Islamic Community Leaders Program, which supports voluntary work for the South Asian community.
Director of the Bangle Foundation Yasmin Khan has been offering targeted support to prevent domestic abuse for over 10 years.
“The South Asian community in Australia is the largest non-white community, and they have cultural traditions, and religious traditions, that are unique – that mainstream organisations may not understand or fully appreciate,” Ms Khan said.
“Even those with South Asian heritage that have been in Australia for a long time, they still follow the traditions and the customs of that of that heritage today.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for mainstream organisations to fully appreciate the the understanding of what happens in that community when relationships break down.
“That’s why we need ethno-specific services for this community rather than just lumping us all in as multicultural.”
Ms Khan said within mainstream culture, 80% of domestic abuse is done by the intimate partner, but in the South Asian community that’s not necessarily the case.
“Within the South Asian community, you may never be abused as such by your husband, but you may be abused by your sister-in-law or your mother-in-law or your father-in-law, so there will be other factors involved in that abuse,” she said.
Ms Khan said $25 000 will be put towards listening to women’s experiences and educating the Muslim community, religious leaders and community leaders, around domestic abuse.
“We’ve got Muslim community all across Queensland that have been around for hundreds of years and we need to bring them all in together,” she said.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said a combination of factors can put culturally and linguistically diverse women at a greater risk of experiencing violence.
“We know that CALD Queenslanders can be at increased risk of experiencing DFSV and face additional barriers to reporting violence, seeking support and escaping a violent situation,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Social isolation can be a big contributing factor, as can a lack of understanding of what constitutes domestic violence and knowing where to seek help.
“For these reasons, too many women fail to report their abuse and remain in coercive or violent relationships.”
Youth Off The Streets delivers a range of wraparound support, including crisis accommodation and housing services, alcohol and other drugs counselling at independent high schools, youth justice support, cultural support and employment programs, among other services.
The Bangle Foundation provides culturally responsive crisis intervention, danger assessment, safety planning, immediate assistance with basic needs, peer counselling, and referrals, among other essential services.
