The INVEST Project (INternational students’ sexual and intimate partner Violence Experiences STudy) has launched two pivotal resources aimed at addressing the often-overlooked experiences of female international students in Australia.
REDI’s Professor Ly Tran is part of a collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Monash University and the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health. The research team led by Professor Laura Tarzia is exploring the nature, circumstances, and impacts of sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) among women international students.
The two new resources are:
These resources were developed following a national online survey and in-depth interviews with over 1400 female international students. The findings revealed alarming rates of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, often compounded by cultural isolation, visa insecurity, and limited access to support.
Women comprise almost half of the 700,000 international students that come to study in Australia each year. Although many students have positive experiences studying in Australia, this is not the case for all. Experiences of gender-based violence, including sexual violence and intimate partner violence, are common among women tertiary students. Being subjected to such violence can have a major impact on women international students’ mental and physical health and undermine their ability to engage in educational and social opportunities in Australia.
As the INVEST Project continues to publish its findings and expand its outreach, the hope is that every international student in Australia feels supported, and safe.
Find out more about the project and download the resources: https://redi.deakin.edu.au/projects/international-students-sexual-and-intimate-partner-violence-experiences/
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