By Cam Lucadou-Wells
To stay or to go.
That’s the dilemma depicted in a two-minute animation Zeinab’s Story, a tale of a refugee woman grappling with family violence.
The video aimed at migrant and refugee women was set to be launched at a Wellsprings for Women’s high tea on 20 July.
“Zeinab’s dilemma is common to all women experiencing family violence,” Wellsprings chief executive Dalal Smiley said.
“But is particularly intensified and complicated when the victim is of refugee background and the violence is not physical but emotional, financial and psychological.”
It is part of a Federal-funded family violence being rolled out by Wellsprings.
Its aim was to encourage women in family violence situations to seek help, but acknowledging there are barriers to overcome.
For many leaving and reporting family violence, it can lead to shame and ostracism from their community.
Some women on spouse’s visas face husbands threatening to cancel their visas if they leave the home, Ms Smiley said.
“Migrant and refugee women who disclose what they are going through, do not wish to be referred to other specialised family violence services, nor report the violence to police,” Ms Smiley said.
“They do not necessarily want to leave, but are searching for support, guidance and help which can take months or years before they make a decision.”
