Whittlesea CALD Communities Family Violence Research Report 2012 | Page 48
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(Raj & Silverman, 2002, Erez et. al, 2010). For example the women in Erez et. al’s study reported that
social isolation was a common tactic used by abusers to perpetuate dependency and included
preventing women from attending English classes, going to school, having employment and speaking
to family and friends (Erez et. al, 2010)
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Language barriers:
Limited English language proficiency may act as a barrier to women accessing services and
compounds many of the other factors that affect CALD women (Aly & Gaba, 2007, InTouch Inc.,
2010, Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2007, Runner et. al, 2009). For example, an inability to
communicate with the wider community has been found to increase social isolation (Ghafournia, N.,
2011, Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2007, Pease & Rees, 2008) and reliance on the
perpetrator, giving the perpetrator the opportunity to disseminate misinformation and increase their
power and control in the relationship (Ghafournia, N., 2011, Pease & Rees, 2008, Runner et. al,
2009).
Limited English language proficiency also presents a barrier to employment, increasing women’s
financial dependence on the perpetrator (Ghafournia, N., 2011, Justice Institute of British Columbia,
2007).
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Cultural factors
Any discussion regarding the influence of ‘culture’ on CALD women’s experience of family violence
must be approached with caution. There is a tendency, noted in the literature, that where family
violence in CALD communities is discussed ‘culture’ can become a convenient explanation for the
occurrence of family violence (Morris, B., 2007, Pittaway, E., 2004). There is also concern that citing
culture as a relevant factor can lead to stereotyping of CALD communities and a failure to recognise
the existence of a diversity of views and beliefs about family violence between and within cultures
(Morris, B., 2007) as well as the contribution of individual and structural factors to the occurrence of
family violence. (Morris, B., 2007, Pittaway, E., 2004).
Nevertheless, the literature illustrates that CALD women’s understanding of and response to family
violence is influenced to some degree by cultural factors (Erez et. al, 2010, Ghafournia, N., 2011,
Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service, 2006, Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2007,
Morris, B., 2007, Pittaway, E., 2004, Raj & Silverman, 2002, Pease & Rees, 2008, Runner et. al, 2009).
For example, CALD women may migrate from countries of origin where family violence is not
recognised as a crime and where there are weak or non-existent community and/or legal sanctions
against it. (Erez, et. al, 2010, p.47-48, Raj & Silverman, 2002, p.369-371). There is evidence that CALD
groups and individuals often hold traditional views about gender roles (research shows that this is a
known risk factor for family violence) (Powell, Dr. A, 2011, VicHealth, 2006) and it is noted that for
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