PREVENTING family violence among Vietnamese migrants will be the focus of a new program in the west.
Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association project officer Kim Thien-Truong says family violence, poverty, unemployment and drugs are major issues facing the migrant community, with women and children the silent victims.
“In Vietnamese culture, women tend to hide away from problems inside their home. Family violence happens, but women shut the door and don’t let people know about it.
“They are isolated, alone and scared in a new place where they don’t know many people.”
Data from the 2011 census reveals that 1334 Vietnamese migrants live in Hobsons Bay, with a further 6778 in Maribyrnong.
Ms Thien-Truong said low rates of family violence being reported spurred the AVWA in Footscray to create a women’s focused program.
The AVWA program would encourage women to come together and be empowered through activities like swimming lessons, cooking classes, language and literacy seminars.
Women’s Health West also runs programs for migrant women.
The new AVWA program begins next month.
More details: 9396 1922
—Melissa Cunningham
