Technology-facilitated abuse amongst culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women: Service provider’s perceptions

Background

There are few studies on the imperative role of technology in the perpetration of violence within culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, even though it is known that CALD women depend on access to technology to keep in contact with their family and friends back home.

Aim

The research aims to explore how women from CALD backgrounds, who are victims of domestic violence, experience technology-facilitated violence and how factors such as background, education level, economic situation, ethnicity and immigration status affect their experiences. This research will also investigate how service providers perceive technology-facilitated violence among CALD women and how service providers respond to technology-facilitated violence when providing assistance to CALD women.

Methods

This mixed method research will examine how service providers perceive the level and the impact of technology-facilitated violence among CALD women and how CALD women’s identities influence their experiences. It will involve two phases of data collection.

First phase: Online survey with practitioners

The researcher will conduct surveys using LimeSurvey with approximately 100 participants. Practitioners will provide insights on their perceptions of the level of violence that CALD women and non-CALD women experience through technology in a domestic and family context. Questions about the specific impact on CALD women and the barriers to seeking help will also be asked.

Second phase: In-depth interviews with practitioners

The researcher will conduct interviews with 15 to 30 specialised service providers (15 interviews minimum) after analysis of the survey results.

Significance

The findings of this research will offer important insights for the design of public policy, programs and interventions focused on CALD women who are victims of technology-facilitated violence. Understanding how CALD women use technology (to look for information, escape violence or contact their friends and family) is critical for the development of strategies to prevent this violence by service providers, government and non-government organisations, as well as the police and health services.

Funding Body

Griffith University

Project start date

April 2019

Expected completion date

April 2023