Context of Domestic Violence in Five African Communities from a Refugee Background Post-settlement in Perth,

Domestic violence is an important international social and public health issue. Numerous studies undertaken in both developed and developing countries document its prevalence, impact and possible causes; and also report responses to it. Research investigating the issue in communities from a refugee background post-settlement in Western countries such as Australia, however, is sparse. The broader study of which the findings in this paper are a component, attempted to begin to fill this gap. A participatory and collaborative approach between the researcher, community members and a non-government organization that provides support and services to survivors of torture and trauma, underpinned the qualitative research design for this broader community instigated study. The broader study explored the nature, and community understandings of domestic violence in five African communities from a refugee background in metropolitan Perth – Somalia