The Black Caucus is pleased to have contributed to the Victoria Multicultural Commission’s Regional Advisory Committees, and lead the four sub committees on Family Violence, Mental Health, Employment and Housing.
Under Family Violence we discussed:
Elder abuse
– Children wanting to get there inheritance early.
– Elders feeling obligated to their children who look after them.
Learned behaviour.
Abuse of female in the family.
Family violence is not just physical, language.
Same sex violence.
Perpetrator behavioural correction.
Cultural competency.
Elders without support.
Family breakdown.
Men do not report family violence.
Family do not report the problems they see.
The effects of Prison.
Knowing what to look for within schools.
Intervention orders – lack of accountability for the perpetrator.
Understanding the measures available.
Training community champions who are culturally aware.
Prevention intervention. Schools and adults – need funding.
Emotional awareness – be careful with words – Listen.
Those unable to share.
Community with the wrong information.
Afraid families will be taken away.
Afraid visas will be taken away.
Agencies like – Orange door – In Touch.
Family violence that spills out beyond the family.
Only get help if you ask for help. Family members asking for help do not get the help.
A day where all social service come together so we can learn off each other. – Need funding.
Find our answers amongst ourselves – within the multicultural community. – Need funding.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Not all communities are treated equally – police – media – etc.
Community representation or elder support when police present at family violence incidents.
The Mental Health discussion created seven tasks for the VMC to action:
1. Census ethnic representation reinstated. VMC to lobby on our behalf.
2. Mandatory healthcare representation at festivals as a criteria for government funding. 3. Funding at local levels in schools, clubs, community organisations. Bottom up approach to needs.
4. Employment pathways. VMC to lead advocacy.
5. Funding bias beyond festivals into community programmes.
6. Consular support advertised as a mental health option.
7. Celebrating good mental health programmes and success stories through mental health awards. Funded through VMC et al.
The Housing sub committee discussed:
References availability for new migrants.
New Migrants – Cernterlink – Lower income.
Credit references for migrants.
Visa status – prejudice.
Government analysis of the data.
Rebate guarantee to landlords renting to new migrants.
Handing your house to the council to manage – UK model.
Converted container housing as a temporary / medium term option.
Discrimination against large families.
Migrants unaware of rental rights Minimal standards.
Cheatsheets for finding housing.
Standardised blind applications.
Standards of heating
Intersectional discrimination.
Preplanning before arrival in Australia Migrants resource centres.
Journey of the migrant guide or booklet with a checklist.
Comic strips for communication.
Family pressures on people staying with them Pressure and financial burden on host family .
Aid refugees to be self sufficient.
Fix it Friday.
Standardisation of housing facilities.
Advocacy.
Temporary housing has a knock on effect on children.
Migrants being chased away by landlords. The further use of hotel accommodation as an extended medium term solution.
The Black Caucus 