Key points
- A recent study found that over half of the domestic violence victims on temporary visas were threatened with deportation by their sponsors
- Anti-family violence advocates are calling for expanding the special family violence provisions of the migration law to cover temporary visa holders
- Advocates are also calling for criminalising coercive control in all jurisdictions within Australia
'Invisible abuse'
Investigative journalist Jess Hill spent four years researching and writing about Australia’s domestic violence crisis in her book See What You Made Me Do, now an upcoming SBS documentary series.
She says the elusive nature of coercive control often makes it invisible to others.
She explains that common signs of coercive control include:
- Financial control
- Isolating the victim from family and friends
- Making it difficult for them to meet others
- Threats to harm themselves, the pets or the children
- Constantly belittling or degrading a victim-survivor
SBS’ series on Domestic Violence 'See What You Made Me Do' premieres 8:30pm Wednesday 5 May. Watch on SBS or stream free on SBS On Demand. The three-part series continues weekly on 12 & 19 May, and repeated at 9.30pm Sundays on SBS VICELAND.
If you or another person is in danger, call 000
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491 ntv.org.au (anonymous and confidential telephone counselling for men)
The National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline 1800 880 052 for reporting abuse/neglect of people with disability.
ELDERHelp | 1800 353 374 to know how you can get help, support and referrals.
ALSO READ/LISTEN TO
