Frustrated by increasing reports of family violence in Victoria’s Indian community, Tarneit’s Jasvinder Sidhu decided enough was enough.
In 2012 he formed Jagriti, a network of agencies, services and individuals providing what he says are “culturally appropriate” responses to family violence in the Australian-Indian community.
The network helps women and children needing financial help through funds raised at the Tarneit Sikh Temple.
Mr Sidhu believes existing solutions offered for Indian victims of family violence have repeatedly failed, and will continue to fail.
He said Jagriti aimed to provide immediate support and counselling for Indian women, to create awareness among migrant victims about their rights in Australia It also planned to develop social awareness through events, media and research.
Mr Sidhu said Jagriti was now offering advocacy support to clients in their dealings with community agencies and services, and acting as a liaison and referral source for clients to appropriate helping agencies.
To date, Jagriti had helped more than 100 females and 20 males by raising funds for them and providing basic guidance, Mr Sidhu said.
“Unless solutions of social problems are culturally appropriate, they will not work.”
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