The Adira Centre has marked one year of supporting women and children experiencing domestic and family violence from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Fulfilling an election commitment, the Minns Labor Government provided $4.4 million in funding to establish the NSW Multicultural Centre for Women’s and Family Safety (Adira Centre), recognising the need for culturally appropriate support for victim-survivors from diverse communities.
Opening its doors in May 2024, the centre delivers a wide range of culturally responsive and in-language domestic and family violence services, including primary prevention, early intervention, crisis support and recovery.
“At the opening of the Adira Centre one year ago, I said the centre would ‘help deliver much-needed services to our culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a manner that is accessible and respectful of their culture,’” Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said. “That’s exactly what the Adira Centre has done.”
While based in south-western Sydney, it operates statewide and provides outreach services, sector support and programs in regional areas.
“The Adira Centre is collaborating with communities and services statewide to strengthen service responses and culturally appropriate support for migrant and refugee women and children,” Settlement Services International CEO Violet Roumeliotis said. “This is an important step in developing a skilled, culturally responsive specialist domestic and family violence workforce in NSW.”
In its first year of operation, the Adira Centre has:
- Delivered more than 50 community information sessions on healthy relationships and domestic and family violence, attended by more than 1,000 people, with interpretation provided in 15 different languages
- Provided direct support to hundreds of women and children from multicultural backgrounds who are experiencing, or at risk of, domestic and family violence, including advice and referrals through to casework and counselling, with support provided in more than 20 different languages
- Delivered 13 capacity-building workshops on understanding, identifying and responding to domestic and family violence in multicultural communities to organisations across both the domestic and family violence and settlement sectors
- Convened Learning Circles and delivered capacity-building activities for women in migrant and refugee communities who are often the “first responders” to domestic and family violence in their communities
The Minns Labor Government recognises that migrants, refugees and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can experience multiple intersectional challenges that increase the likelihood, impact and/or severity of violence and may also face additional barriers to accessing support and safety.
“We know that women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are less likely to report violence or seek help due to language barriers, cultural stigma, concerns about visa and residency status, financial insecurity and other cultural reasons,” Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said. “Over the past year, the Adira Centre has improved and increased access to information and support for domestic and family violence victim-survivors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.”
Ensuring the needs of victim-survivors from diverse backgrounds and their children are met is a key component of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-27.
The Minns Labor Government is taking a whole-of-community approach to addressing domestic and family violence. This includes working with stakeholders and listening to victim-survivors when developing and rolling out its responses.
“Our collaborative practice and sector capacity building are complemented by a strong focus on prevention and community education,” Adira Centre Director Gulnara Abbasova said. “In the past year, the Adira Centre has worked with multicultural communities across NSW to increase awareness and understanding of domestic and family violence and its drivers, and to promote healthy relationships.”
The centre’s first anniversary coincides with Domestic Violence Prevention Month, which is observed throughout May.
Read also: Domestic violence reality leaves women and children’s lives at risk
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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