This is a resource for any organisation when migrant wāhine reach out for support. It provides a guide to working with migrant women and women from ethnic communities, including these key messages:
• Let them know Refuge can support them and their children regardless of their visa status, language(s) spoken, or whether they choose to stay with their
partner.
• Let them know safe housing is an option regardless of their visa status – and that there will be food to support their religious, cultural, and dietary needs, and
somewhere to pray if they need it.
• Tell them about the different support Refuge offers – getting a food parcel, nappies and baby formula, support with family violence visa applications, finding
a GP or counsellor who speaks their own language, or access to information about family violence.
• Organise interpreters to support them every step of the way.
• Reassure them that Refuge won’t share any information about them or the violence with Immigration without their permission.
• Be upfront with clients about what support Refuge can provide and if any information will be shared with other services - reassure them that no
information will be shared with Immigration (INZ) without their permission.
• Ask about their visa status last – fears of involvement from Immigration services

This resource is part of a series about family violence risk and safety produced by Women’s Refuge with support from Contact Energy. (From the resource). Record #9101