Refugee Women's Views on IPV Screening in Australia: A Fresh Perspective

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread issue, affecting one in three refugee women in Australia. These women deal with many challenges after resettlement, making them a priority for IPV screening and support. A recent study called SAHAR explored whether refugee women using resettlement services in Australia felt comfortable with IPV screening. They used a tool called ACTS to ask questions and then followed up with 321 women three months later. Most women, both those who had experienced IPV and those who hadn't, said they felt comfortable with the questions.

They also agreed that services should ask about fears of being controlled or hurt by partners. Women who remembered the screening were more likely to agree than those who didn't. The study found that factors like showing care, speaking the same language, trusting privacy, and talking to a female worker made women feel more at ease discussing IPV. This high acceptance suggests that IPV screening should be considered for all refugee women using settlement services.

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