An Australian-first analysis of case files from a domestic and family service provider in Victoria has revealed the impact of coronavirus on temporary migrants living with violence.
Three-quarters of temporary migrants seeking support for domestic and family violence during the coronavirus pandemic have said they feared for their lives, service provider case files reveal, as advocates warn of an influx of calls for help.
More than 60 of one hundred women who accessed InTouch, a Victorian multicultural family violence service, between 16 March and 31 May said they feared deportation due to threats from their perpetrator, who were overwhelmingly Australian citizens and permanent residents. Of the temporary visa holders who had jobs when they accessed InTouch, 95 per cent had a change of employment and 70 per cent lost it entirely during COVID-19.There is an urgent need to protect migrant women from domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis
InTouch chief executive Michal Morris said the organisation had experienced a 20 per cent rise in demand during the pandemic, with more than 50 per cent from temporary migrants, but added that the data only told part of the story. Family violence services in other states have also reported spikes in calls for help. Earlier this week, Women’s Legal Service Queensland told a Senate committee into the federal government’s COVID-19 response that they had received a 50 per cent increase in calls following the lifting of restrictions in May.
“It is something that the whole sector is breaking for,” Ms Morris said. “We do anticipate as we slowly get out of Stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne, and Victoria, that more women will be approaching us.”
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