Domestic Violence Risk Assessment in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities in Queensland, Australia: A Qualitative Study of Community Members’ Perceptions and Experiences

Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a pressing concern in Australia and internationally. Risk assessment tools and processes may be insufficient for detecting DFV—especially coercive control—among people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study assesses CALD community members’ perceptions about risk factors, and what shortcomings, strengths, and opportunities for improvement they identify in relation to detecting coercive control. Participants identified that risk assessment tools and practices typically overlook factors associated with ethnicity, culture, visa/migration status, and dependency on the abuser. Risk assessment practices can be refined to better capture these experiences.