Ethnic communities updates: New resources, training, funding, research and a national network

Tue 14 Nov 2023

This story highlights updates related to work by and for ethnic communities including new resources, a new government fund for prevention activities, cultural safety training, the launch of a national network and research projects.

photo of women working and talking around a table

Ethnic communities updates

New resources

Shama Ethnic Women's Trust has developed new resources to address sexual violence for ethnic communities. On 22 November 2023, Shama is launching Let's Talk, a multimedia awareness campaign. The campaign aims to inform ethnic communities about what sexual harm is and where to seek help. Shama has supported the creation of 54 videos in 18 different languages on sexual harm. The online launch will include:

background about the campaign
the 5 topics that the videos cover
reflections from filmmakers and community champions
talk about how to help inform communities about this important topic.

If you would like to attend the online launch, email crisis2@shama.org.nz.

Shama has also launched a new podcast in collaboration with community groups and Free FM. There are 4 episodes in the Encouraging Conversations: Preventing Sexual Violence in Ethnic Communities in Aotearoa. The different episodes share the experiences of ethnic community leaders from Aotearoa talking about the work they have done with Shama to prevent sexual violence in their communities. For more information see the brief overview of the episodes. Learn more about Shama's work to support ethnic community groups across Aotearoa to develop their skills and create resources to prevent sexual violence in their communities.

The booklet, ‘Our Culture, Our Pride: No Excuse for Abuse’ – Ethnic communities family violence booklet has been updated. The booklet is currently available in English. Work is underway to translate it into 9 languages. Free copies can be ordered by emailing MSD at ecvp@msd.govt.nz. The booklet has been updated by MSD, Shakti, and Te Puna Aonui Ethnic Community network members. This booklet was first developed by Shakti and MSD as part of the Campaign for Action on Family Violence to look at the specific issues facing ethnic communities in Aotearoa.

Muslim Women Australia created the Saving FACE Sector Guide (2023), a primary prevention initiative developed to support the family violence and sexual violence sector to engage effectively and appropriately with Muslim communities in Australia. The guide is a framework that centres faith as a tool to empower communities and individuals to prevent violence against women and children. The development of the guide was funded by the Australian Government.

Cultural safety training

Shama is offering free cultural safety trainings for people working in the health and social services sector who want to engage with and support ethnic communities better. There are 4 in-person sessions available in November 2023 in Waihi, Matamata, Tokoroa and Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland. The sessions cover theoretical knowledge and practical tools to use in work alongside ethnically diverse people. The sessions will also include insights on how to communicate appropriately and sensitively in the areas of faith, culture, racism, and visas, as well as tips for asking critical questions that might arise in these discussions. For more information or to register email: training@shama.org.nz.

New fund for ethnic communities prevention activities

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has launched a new fund to support ethnic communities to develop and deliver solutions and activities for safe, healthy, and diverse ethnic families and communities. The purpose of the Ethnic Communities Innovation Fund is to promote the safety and wellbeing of ethnic people by supporting community-driven initiatives for preventing family and sexual violence. The fund is open to all ethnic groups across Aotearoa New Zealand for the prevention of family and sexual violence. To be eligible to apply:

applicants do not have to be a specialist family violence and sexual violence service, but do need to demonstrate commitment to the elimination and prevention of family and sexual violence within their communities in previous work or intention if new to this work.
work predominantly with ethnic communities and/or be an organisation with experience supporting ethnic communities.
deliver local prevention initiatives based on where the organisation is located.

For more details about eligibility and how to apply see the Innovation Fund question and answer.

Organisations can apply for up to $45,000 for a 12 month period. The applications are due by 9 December 2023. For questions email the MSD Ethnic Communities Violence Prevention team at ecvp@msd.govt.nz.

Ethnic Communities Network launched

In August 2023, Marama Davidson, former Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, announced the launch of the Ethnic Communities Network. Helping to establish the network is part of responding to Shift Two: Towards mobilising communities in Te Aorerekura Action Plan. The Beehive media released highlighted: "Ethnic community members and organisations have built a network to strengthen collaboration across ethnic providers, working together to identify and work towards responsive violence prevention strategies for communities and to collectively feed into the government's work." Read more about the launch of the network in the Ministry for Ethnic Communities | Te Tari Mātāwaka October newsletter.

New research projects

Several research projects are exploring family violence and sexual violence in relation to ethic and migrant people:

Shama is researching how ethnic and migrant women experience the Family Court system after reporting family violence. Ethnic women who have experienced family violence and the Family Court system, are invited to participant to share their experiences and feedback. For more information see Shama's Facebook page or contact the lead researcher, Dhilum Nightingale.

Dr Ying Wang, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Auckland, is conducting research to inform resources to support Asian survivors of sexual violence in Aotearoa’s schools and tertiary providers.

Divya Rathore, a PhD student at the University of Auckland is exploring forced marriage in Aotearoa New Zealand and how the law could be strengthened.

Community Research recently announced winners of Te Auaha Pito Mata – New and Emerging Researcher Awards 2023. Pooja Jayan received the Ethnic and migrant Community Researcher Award for the Community-led culture-centred prevention of family violence and sexual violence (2023) published by CARE — Centre for Culture-centered Approach to Research and Evaluation.

The first Ethnic Research Hui Aotearoa 2023 was held in September. It was a collaborative effort by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and Ethnic Research Aotearoa. Read more about the hui in the Ministry for Ethnic Communities | Te Tari Mātāwaka October newsletter. Ethnic Research Aotearoa (ERA) was established in 2022 by trustees from diverse ethnic communities. ERA aims to give voice and visibility to ethnic communities for inclusive, equitable, and impactful policy and services.

Support for young Asian sexual violence survivors, University of Auckland news, 11.05.2023

Family violence ‘minimised, normalised’ by tribunal hearing migrant women’s appeals, NZ Herald, 18.03.2023

Women’s Refuge helping migrant women facing domestic violence, Bay Buzz, 16.12.2023

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