Project builds bridges to safety for migrant families

After a panicked call in the middle of the night from her son's friend roused Chitra from her slumber, she jumped into action.

"He told my son, 'My dad is threatening my mum and everyone, my mum is shouting and screaming, what should I do?'" says the trusted Indian migrant community member.

The woman's husband had threatened more severe violence if she went to police, she says.

Wanting to help but understanding her boundaries, Chitra called family violence specialist Shikha Makker for advice.

Both are part of Project Sitara, a community-based solution for preventing and responding to family violence in migrant and refugee communities in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Chitra is one of dozens of "Sitaras", which means star in Hindi and Urdu, a trusted community champion equipped with knowledge, tools and connections to recognise family violence and respond at an early stage.

After being advised by Ms Makker about the next steps, Chitra drove to the woman's house, collected her and her dog, and suggested she should tell police everything she could.

She then accompanied her as police connected the woman with family violence services Safe Steps and Orange Door.

"I felt so proud. Just a small step of mine changed her life completely and now she's separated. The man has moved away and she is doing good," Chitra says.

"I am always connected with her, I emotionally support and always pick up the call, any time, and I say, 'You are doing the right thing'."

"She became so confident. Before she was shivering and now she has became so independent.''

The initiative by family violence support provider GenWest has been running for four years.

It aims to give women from migrant and refugee backgrounds "a critical bridge to safety", says manager of resilient communities Shweta Kawatra Dakin.

''These women are already listening, supporting and helping others find safety," she says.