The Indian Society of Western Australia (ISWA) organised a workshop for community leaders on family relationships along with White Ribbon Australia and Ishar multicultural women’s health centre.
Consul General Amitkumar Mishra who attended the event quoted an incident which he received on social media in the middle of the night asking for help to “save my sister.” He intervened through a government agency.
After eight months there was another incident where a woman attempted suicide by drinking bleach – the lady was immediately taken to Royal Perth hospital and her life was saved.
He said on average two case occur weekly.
The Indian consulate in Perth says it's keen to help and provide necessary resources but the community needs to come forward and take a lead on curbing such cases.
Advocate Madhuri Mathisen said she finds more cases from rural areas. She said the Indian patriarchal society and mindset are putting many women’s lives at risk.
Consul General Amit Kumar Mishra speaking at Family relationships workshop organised by ISWA on Sunday 27th May 2018. Source: ISWA Facebook page
Madhuri shared an incident where a woman telling her husband that she likes the Bollywood star Amir Khan created serious issues between them. She suggested women should speak up and ask for help from the community, and the best thing is to reach out before physical abuse starts.
WA police officer Zainon Mohamed Kassim noticed domestic violence cases often arise from small issues but more needs to be done to find the root cause in each case.
Sunila kotwal from White Ribbon said that there are social, verbal, physical, emotional, financial and sexual problems. She highlighted one husband depriving his wife of any physical contact leaving her to believe that she is of no use.
She said now there is new word 'gas lighter' to torture the person. The phrase means telling total lies over and over again so that after a certain time the victim starts believing in the lies themselves.
Someone constantly criticizing their spouse, telling them 'you are of no use' and humiliating them would eventually result in the spouse believing they are to blame.
Indian Society of Western Australia President Surya Ambati said the ISWA will start a campaign through the website, providing a helpline number as well as promoting videos on the issue.
WA Labor legislative member Yaz Mubarakai, Amit Mehta, the Gujarati Samaj Trustee and Past President, Kashmiri Pandit Association members and members of Agraval Samaj were present at the workshop.
