Indian community advocates say many people are suffering in silence, enduring years of physical, emotional and financial abuse due to domestic violence.
On a Sunday morning in Western Sydney dozens of women and men gathered in a small classroom in Parramatta, willing to learn more about the issue.
The not-for-profit Indian Support Centre held the seminar to shine a light on what was described by one speaker as the "social disease" of domestic violence.
“It’s so people can understand what domestic violence is, how it affects their children and (how it affects) them,” the Indian Support Centre’s Jaspreet Chopra told SBS News.
Police officers, support workers and legal experts were on hand at the event to offer advice.
In the three years since the Indian Support Centre was established, those involved said they'd been bombarded with calls from victims of domestic violence.
One in three Australian women will experience such abuse in their lifetime, according to White Ribbon, but cultural stigmas, visa issues and a lack of family support often prevent Indian women in particular from reporting it.
Dr Chandrika Subramaniyan has worked with domestic violence cases for over 20 years as a solicitor and told SBS News it's vital all members of the community take action on the issue.
“It's all changing now because women are more empowered to do their own jobs, they can raise their children as a single parent,” Dr Subramaniyan told SBS News.
“However it's the shame and the family situation that really stops them from reporting domestic violence.”
The session focused on warning signs like being afraid of a partner's temper, becoming socially isolated or being forced to have sex.
Both men and women were encouraged to take action on the issue, starting with education and knowing who to reach out to.
“Men need to be advised and educated what they can do and what they cannot do in Australia in relation to domestic violence. And how they can have harmony at home," Dr Subramaniyan said.
The workshop was federally funded, with another planned for a few months’ time.
“I never hear about domestic violence (out loud in the community),” one observer, Tony Colaco, said.
“But when you come to a forum like this everyone says 'me too'. So I’m ready to have more of (these) awareness sessions.”
:: Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800 RESPECT
