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Seminar on support and services for foreign nationals experiencing family and domestic violence in Australia

Seminar on support and services for foreign nationals experiencing family and domestic violence in Australia

03 September 2024 in 2024
DFVS

At the invitation of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)'s Chief of Protocol, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine attended a seminar for Diplomatic missions about support and services available for foreign nationals experiencing family and domestic violence in Australia. 

Presenters included the Director of the Domestic and Family Violence Support Section (DFVS) of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, and Full Stop Australia, one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services.

DFVS - Home Affairs

The Home Affairs' Domestic and Family Violence Support Section (DFVS) provides specialised services to support temporary visa holders in Australia who are experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV). The primary focus of DFVS is to support clients experiencing DFV so that they don’t feel compelled to remain in a violent or abusive relationship due to concerns regarding their visa status.

العنف المنزلي والعائلي وتأشیرتك (عربى)

Domestic and family violence and your visa (English)

DFVS's Key Messages for Visa Holders

  • Domestic and family violence is a crime in Australia and is not acceptable under any circumstance. There is support available, regardless of someone’s visa status.

  • Only the Minister or a delegated officer has the power to refuse or cancel a person’s visa. A person who commits domestic and family violence cannot cancel your visa.

  • Visa holders should not remain in a violent or abusive relationship for a visa outcome. Their safety and well-being (and that of their children) is most important.

  • Visa holders should call the police/emergency services if their life, or the life of a family member, is threatened.

How can DFVS Help?

DFVS has dedicated Visa Support Officers (VSOs) in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. DFVS will seek to assist clients in whatever way they can. This could include:

  • Escalating a client’s application for processing

  • Advocating on behalf of the client with the relevant processing team

  • Ensuring visa decisions consider the client’s circumstances and vulnerabilities

  • Liaising across many areas of the Department of Home Affairs, including visa program management and delivery

  • Ensuring clients are connected to specialist support and legal services, where required.

The DFVS Temporary Visa Holder Domestic and Family Violence Contact Form is available on the Department of Home Affairs' website. You can use this form to seek information and support about your visa status or other immigration matters.

Support Services / Financial Assistance

If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger, please call 000.

Full Stop Australia: Find National and State-Based Support Services

DFVS Home Affairs: Find National and State/Territory Support Services

[National]

  • 1800RESPECT - National support service for SA/DFV  [معلومات باللغة العربية]
    • 1800respect.org.au 
    • Phone 1800RESPECT [1800 737 732] or text 0458 737 732 - available 24 hours/7 days a week
  • National Translating & Interpreting Service
  • Specialist women’s DFV Services, including refuges
  • Community Legal Centres - find a community legal service near you
  • No To Violence
    • ntv.org.au
    • Phone 1300766491 - available 24 hours/7 days a week
  • My Blue Sky - free legal advice and support for people experiencing forced marriage

[ACT/NSW]

Financial Assistance

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