Experiences of Domestic Violence amongst African Refugee Women in South Australia. Kelly W. Muraya

Transcription

1 Experiences of Domestic Violence amongst African Refugee Women in South Australia Kelly W. Muraya Supervisors: Dr Jill Benson Dr Karin Ried The Discipline of General Practice The University of Adelaide

2 Background Definition of domestic violence: spousal or partner abuse including physical, emotional, sexual, economic Domestic violence is influenced by culture: perception & response Statistics show a steady increase in number of African migrants into Australia. Limited research on migrant women experiencing DV Definitions of Domestic Violence [accessed March]; Available from: Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Settler Arrivals to Australia States and Territories [accessed 2007 March]; Available from: Menjivar C, Salcido O. Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence: Common Experiences in Different Countries. Gender and Society Dec; 16(6):

3 Aims of study To gain a better understanding of a subgroup of African refugee women s perception of domestic violence Investigate the effect of domestic violence on the victim s well being Investigate the women s awareness of available support services in South Australia

4 Research Question What are the experiences of domestic violence amongst African refugee women in South Australia?

5 Research Question (cont) In particular: What is an African refugee woman s definition and perception of domestic violence? What is the effect of domestic violence on the victim? Are African refugee women aware of local domestic violence support services? If they are aware of these support services but do not utilise them, what hinders them from doing so?

6 Method Study Design Qualitative approach using semi-structured, 1:1 interviews Seven women of African background who spoke English or Swahili were interviewed. Interviews were ~ 1hr and were recorded using a digital voice recorder

7 Method (cont) Participants were recruited from: Migrant Women s Support and Accommodation Service (MWSAS) Women s Information Service (WIS) Family Court Support Programme.

8 Method (cont) Analysis Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data managed using the NVivo7 program Thematic analysis was carried out to search for emergent themes

9 Descriptive Statistics Participant Nationality Age Time in Australia P1 Liberian 33 2 yrs, 5 months P2 Liberian 36 1yr, 9 months P3 Liberian 28 1yr 2 months P4 Liberian 40 1yr,4 months P5 Liberian 32 2yrs, 3months P6 Burundian 31 2 yrs P7 Sudanese 27 Around 9 months

10 Emergent Themes Perception of domestic violence The term domestic violence Infidelity and domestic violence Staying in the house with your own husband in your house he will bring another woman, in your presence. In our marriage home. If I tell him, this is not fair He says, this house belongs to me and it belongs to you, so the portion of my house she s welcome to come here. So in Africa, especially on the refugee camp, we witness lots of violence, domestic violence against women, it s not easy.

11 Emergent Themes (cont) Experience of domestic violence prior to resettlement

12 Emergent Themes (cont) Experience of DV after resettlement Psychological/Emotional (7) Physical (5) Economic (3) Social (2) That day really he used to beat me around the eyes, the face, the head, because I was pregnant and only two months away from having a caesarean So on that day my eyes got really injured and I fell on the floor. It s like I became momentarily mad then regained my sense I went into labour that day. Then he took all the phones, everything, because maybe he knew I would call the police I would try to open the door and he would hold me down, I would open another door and he would hold me down again so I didn t know what to do

13 Emergent Themes (cont) Cultural differences You know they say the African when you get married, all of a sudden sometimes husband start hitting you you bear it they re your husband. But in Western country you cannot do that because everybody have to be happy and free. Because in Africa, the women are slave for the husband, if they say sit, you have to sit You know back home, that mentality just because of Australia some of us we are blessed, we say praise God for that Sometimes I don t know how white people perceive us even if they see [your husband] causing trouble for you, they don t say anything women are beaten even on the road, someone will just look then walk away. I see that to be a problem here, because in Africa women used to be beaten but people would intervene here they leave you until you call the police and if you don t call them that s your problem.

14 Emergent Themes (cont) Effect of domestic violence Help seeking behaviour Traditional Mainstream Hindrance from seeking help sometimes I go to the committee like the Liberian committee and I lodge the complaint, they would call him, advise him and some other stuff

15 Emergent Themes (cont) Awareness of support services and barriers of using them Because I didn t know the process and we just came to Australia, I used to just sit down and just think, you know, just get frustrated

16 Conclusion Need for community education or better strategies to ensure migrant women at risk get this information on arrival to Australia Cultural influences in domestic violence particularly with help seeking behaviour Cultural awareness training for service providers

17 Acknowledgements Dr. Jill Benson Dr. Karin Ried Dr. Chris Barton Catherine Cole Migrant Women s Support and Accommodation Service Women s Information Service