A National Advocacy Group for Women on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence has renewed calls for women's safety ministers to better protect migrant and refugee women at additional risk of domestic and family violence.
The group is seeking government action to ensure women on temporary visas will have access to basic income and accommodation services when they seek safety from domestic and family violence.
Women's Safety NSW CEO Hayley Foster said no-one should be forced to choose between complete homelessness and abject poverty, and returning to violence and abuse, no matter what their visa status.
"This is not a statement as to whether anyone in particular should have entitlement to permanent visa status. This is just about being able to escape domestic, family and sexual violence," Ms Foster said.
The group has also recommended amending family violence provisions in migration regulations to create a new temporary visa for people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, and providing long term and sustainable funding for legal services.
"This will ensure people can access the support they need to be safe without the fear of being deported," Ms Foster said.
