SEVA INTERNATIONAL INVITES COMMUNITY ORGANISTIONS TO HELP DEVELOP A JOINT STRATEGY TO TACKLE DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE IN SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY

Domestic and Family Violence is emerging as a major area of concern within the South Asian community resident in Western Sydney.

Women from within our community, including newly arrived migrants and refugees, face specific barriers in accessing support services. These include social isolation, language and communication difficulties, financial dependence and fear that they will be forced to leave Australia if they flee a violent relationship.

SEVA has received funding through a City of Parramatta Council Community Grant to develop a Joint Strategy to address Domestic Violence within the South Asian Community.

To do this SEVA will work with leaders of various South Asian community groups and service providers to explore issues faced within the community. Participants will share their experiences and innovative practices and learn from each other. Participants will also identify gaps and challenges and come up with strategies to address these.

The development of a Joint Strategy will provide an integrated and whole of community approach to the reduction of domestic and family violence. This Strategy will be shared with the Council as well as State and Federal governments so they will be better informed about the special needs of the South Asian community and to enable them to better target their services.

“By harnessing the wisdom of those within the community, we have the best chance of making a real difference to the lives of those affected within the South Asian community and help reduce the incidence of domestic and family violence” said Sue Advani, SEVA Project Coordinator.

The development of the Strategy will take place over two days: Saturday 5^th August and Saturday 19^th August, from 9.30 to 3.30 at Granville Diggers Club, 5 Memorial Drive, Granville NSW 2142.

For more information contact Sue Advani on 0417210268 or email sumati@sevainternational.org.