Indian community leaders from Melbourne’s west have vowed to end domestic violence among their families.
Activist Jasvinder Sidhu founded Jagriti (The Awakening) a few years ago to increase awareness about domestic violence, reduce rates of violence, and to support victims within Indian communities.
This month Mr Sidhu will launch the
Happy Families, Happy Communities Western Suburbs Guide, so community leaders can better help domestic violence victims.
“Due to cultural complexities … many victims failed to cope with the vast volumes of information, which was available.”
He called on Indian community leaders to stop ignoring and avoiding the domestic violence, and to get serious about ending the scourge within Indian and other communities.
“Defined gender roles must change, because women now do outside work as well, so men shall share some home responsibility.”
The guide offers “straightforward information” about accessing domestic violence services in a “culturally-tailored” way.
“The existing support services system is not culturally sensitive or appropriate,” Mr Sidhu said, even for foreign students.
The guide will be launched on August 30, 1pm, at the Indian Consular-General’s office, 533 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
RSVP: sidhu.jasvinder@hotmail.com
