Dowry Abuse and South Asian Populations in Australia: Identifying Core Features, Exploring Community Narratives and Developing Resources for Prevention and Intervention

Dowry abuse is defined as 'any act of violence or harassment associated with the giving or receiving of dowry at any time before, during or after the marriage' (United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, 2009). It is not a uniquely religious practice and affects women and families of various backgrounds (Jopson, 2017). The issue of dowry abuse is of particular concern to the City of Parramatta Council. The Council recognises that their community is diverse; and therefore, uniquely affected by dowry abuse. Through their relationships with local domestic and family violence services, the Council has recognised that dowry abuse is a significant issue with the newly arrived and established migrant communities. Currently, there is a dearth of research and best practice models about dowry abuse in Australia and how it manifests in communities and services. This project, therefore, seeks to fill in this gap in knowledge by exploring case files related to dowry abuse as well as engaging with the perspectives of South Asian women and service providers to better understand how to define, identify and address this significant issue of domestic and family violence. The South Asian community is defined as communities of people who have settled in Australia but whose ancestors originate from countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Research Aims and Objectives This research, funded by both Western Sydney University and the City of Parramatta Council, aimed to develop data and evidence about the incidence, rate and impact of dowry abuse within the South Asian community of Western Sydney. The objectives of this project were: 1. To develop and run a community-led, culturally competent research project that captures community voices and strengths. 2. To create high quality data that can be utilised in advocacy initiatives and training programs for communities and front-line professionals. 3. To build the capacity of community and service providers to prevent and address dowry abuse.