Submission to the Fourth Action Plan
FECCA’s submission to the Fourth Action Plan under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children highlights the unique challenges faced by Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women and their children in accessing support and escaping violence. Emphasising the intersectional vulnerabilities of CALD women, such as visa dependency, language barriers, financial insecurity, and lack of culturally competent services. FECCA advocates for policy reforms, including expanding visa pathways for victims of domestic and family violence, improving access to financial and crisis support, and ensuring culturally appropriate interventions. Calling for better data collection to understand the prevalence and specific manifestations of domestic and family violence in CALD communities, as well as targeted research to inform responsive policies and services.
FECCA also stresses the need for culturally tailored prevention programs that involve CALD men and boys in addressing gender-based violence. Recommending greater investment in workforce cultural competence training, the recruitment of bilingual and bicultural workers, and the provision of accessible interpreting services. To improve safety and long-term independence, FECCA highlights the importance of social security access, affordable housing, and employment pathways for CALD women. The submission underscores the critical role of systemic collaboration and trust-building to ensure CALD women feel safe engaging with authorities and services, enabling them to escape violence and rebuild their lives.
