Promising Practice Programs

CASA House
270 Cardigan Street
Carlton
Victoria, 3053

http://www.rwh.org.au/casa

CASA House
Phone (03) 9347 3066
Fax (03) 9347 1505
Email casa@rwh.org.au

November 1999

Ongoing

• Community awareness/education
• Advocacy program

• Local community
• State/Territory wide
• Australia wide

• Women
• Adult survivors
• Culturaly diverse communities
• Service providers

In 1998, consultation and subsequent research was conducted with members of the Bosnian/Muslim Community regarding their experiences of sexual violence and trauma during the Bosnia-Herzagovina War in 1992-1995. This research also sought to explore perceptions of sexual assault within the Bosnian Community.
Bilingual and bicultural women and men representing a cross section of ages participated in the project.
Research identified that members of this community did not feel that their experiences had been dealt with or acknowledged by the mainstream Australian community in a meaningful way. This research, conducted by Serifa Godinjak, was the catalyst for the development of the Sexual Assault Booklet specifically written for the Bosnian Community.
The aim of the booklet is to increase knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding sexual assault and provide information about access and support.

• Positions diversity as key to the development, understanding and delivery of good practice models
• Contributes to improving systems' responses to sexual assault, or is directed at preventing sexual assault
• Demonstrates a sensitivity towards the barriers faced by victim/survivors in disclosing and reporting sexual assault
• This program indentifies and is sensitive to differing cultural/ethnic views and experiences particular to survivors of mass rape in war
• Seeks to improve information and access for Bosnian/Muslim women and larger community
• Exposes myths of incidence and prevalence of sexual assault

No

• Indentifies a Feminist framework of understanding and validation of experience.
• Acknowledges collectivist philosophy rather than individualistic approach to services and support particular to different cultural/ethinic groups i.e. Bosnian/Muslim Community.

Consulation and subsequent research was conducted with women and men of Bosnian/Muslim community representing a wide cross section of ages.

Godinjak, Serifa (1999) Sexual assault - An information booklet for the Bosniian Community (PDF 188KB) CASA House, Melbourne Victoria

No

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs - Community Settlement Support Scheme