News & Insights
The first Wednesday in May is Domestic Violence Remembrance Day; a day to honour those who have died, and the ones left behind due to domestic and family violence.
Family violence and visa holders
Family violence can include many different factors and but can also be any behaviour that makes you fear for you or your family’s safety and wellbeing. Some examples of family violence that we see with temporary visa holders are:
- Sponsor partner controlling the visa application
- Sponsor partner threatening to deport the visa applicant
- Social isolation such as not allowing you to go out alone in Australia
- Cultural isolation such as not allowing you to practice your religion, not learn English or not speak your native language at home
- Physical assault
- Controlling money and your access to money
- Destroying or damaging property
- Following you, asking others to follow you or tracking your locations
- Any threats of emotional, physical or financial abuse in connection with demanding or receiving dowry payments
- Distributing intimate images of you with your consent
- Threats to do any of the above
Family violence is not just physical abuse or harm, there are family violence provisions that allow for a person to continue with their visa pathway if they have applied for a number of permanent visas. If you have not applied for a permanent visa, but are experiencing family violence, you should get independent migration advice to review your visa pathway options.
In May, as part of our support of Domestic Violence Prevention Month, MSM is dedicated to raise community awareness of the impacts that domestic and family violence can have on visa holders and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence and is worried about their visa options, seek legal advice immediately.
Free information and counselling can be obtained by contacting 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If you need an interpreter, you can call the Translating and Interpreting service (TIS) on 131 450 and obtain a free interpreter.
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