RESEARCH REPORT
Interventions for migrant and refugee men who use domestic, family and sexual violence: Experiences and perspectives of migrant and refugee men and women, service providers and other stakeholders
This report addresses the gap in understanding of interventions for migrant and refugee men who use domestic, family and sexual violence.
Domestic, family and sexual violence occurs across all communities. This research focuses on understanding how intervention programs – particularly men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) – can better meet the needs of migrant and refugee men and families while strengthening safety for women and children.
This report builds evidence on how MBCPs and other interventions are experienced by migrant and refugee men, their partners and those providing the interventions. It outlines the challenges these interventions pose and considers the value of participation in them. To do so, the report draws on the experiences and perspectives of migrant and refugee men and women, as well as service providers and other stakeholders.
The research identified promising practices already being implemented by multicultural organisations, bicultural facilitators and culturally adapted programs that helped build trust and support engagement.
Commissioned under ANROWS’ 2023–27 research program focusing on people who use domestic, family and sexual violence, this multi-phased qualitative research project featured:
- 47 in-depth interviews with migrant and refugee men and women, service providers and other stakeholders.
- the establishment of a national Stakeholder Advisory Group
- an integrative literature review
Key findings
Key findings In addition to supporting findings from existing research, the project contributes critical insights particularly relevant for the Australian context.
The research also highlights strengths already present within migrant and refugee communities, including trusted multicultural organisations, bicultural workforces, strong community leadership and participants’ reported motivation to build safer family relationships.
- Many migrant and refugee men are effectively excluded from available programs because of language and eligibility requirements.
- Migrant and refugee men’s participation in MBCPs is shaped by multiple barriers, including limited availability of in-language and culturally responsive programs, settlement pressures, language challenges and experiences of exclusion from mainstream services.
- Service providers and other stakeholders reported that interventions that were culturally adapted and delivered in language were effective at facilitating men’s participation and engagement. Engagement was further strengthened when programs were delivered by facilitators with their own migration histories.
- To increase potential for positive outcomes, service providers and other stakeholders advocated addressing co-occurring risk factors, including mental health issues and settlement stressors.
- Many of the men interviewed reported improvements in communication skills and emotional regulation following participation in programs, although most continued to minimise or deny their use of violence.
- However, service providers and other stakeholders cautioned that these high rates of reunification can also indicate risk for women and children. Women can face increased pressure, due to social stigma, isolation, community norms and financial dependence, to stay with partners who have used violence.
- Service providers and other stakeholders identified a need for more consistent delivery of family safety contact for women victim-survivors while men are participating in programs. They also recommended supports for men that extend beyond program completion.
Key practice and policy recommendations
Key practice and policy recommendationsRecommendations include the following:
- Provide flexible funding for multicultural, migrant and refugee support organisations for interventions tailored for migrant and refugee men who use domestic, family and sexual violence.
- Support engagement of faith-based communities and faith-community leaders to dispel narratives that violence is justified by a person’s culture or religion.
- Expand one-on-one case management models for migrant and refugee men to address co-occurring risk factors alongside men’s participation in MBCPs.
- Enhance and ensure consistency in migrant and refugee women’s engagement with family safety contact workers.
- Develop post-completion support for migrant and refugee men and families, in response to the high support needs of many of these families and the ongoing risks they face.
Publication details
This work is part of the ANROWS Research reports series. ANROWS Research reports are in-depth reports on empirical research produced under ANROWS’s research program.
This research was produced under the 2023-2027 research program People who use domestic, family and sexual violence.
ANROWS research contributes to the six National Outcomes of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032. This research addresses National Outcome 4 – People who choose to use violence are accountable for their actions and stop their violent, coercive and abusive behaviours.
Authors
PROFESSOR KAREN BLOCK
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
GEMMA TARPEY-BROWN
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR GEORGINA SUTHERLAND
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
PROFESSOR CATHY VAUGHAN
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
Suggested citation
Block, K., Tarpey-Brown, G., Sutherland, G., & Vaughan, C. (2026). Interventions for migrant and refugee men who use domestic, family and sexual violence: Experiences and perspectives of migrant and refugee men and women, service providers and other stakeholders (Research report, 01/2026). ANROWS. https://doi.org/10.71940/P8BR-NB78