When Nyah (not her real name) was trying to escape her violent husband, she didn't know where to turn for help.
"As a migrant, I did not know what Centrelink was. I did not know where the police station was. I did not know what I could access using a Medicare card or which doctor to go to."
Her experience of family violence was compounded by racism and discrimination in a system with limited support for victim-survivors on temporary visas.
"Being a brown woman in a predominantly white country was and is still challenging," Nyah, in her 30s and now living in Victoria, says.
"I faced condescending attitudes, I was not being believed, I was not given a chance to explain.
"There were assumptions being made about my culture and community."
Domestic Violence NSW interim CEO Elise Phillips says unlike Australian citizens and permanent residents, women on temporary visas can't access many of the services available to women experiencing family violence.
"It means women are having to choose between leaving an abusive relationship and being homeless with no income for an indefinite period of time, or remain with a violent partner," Ms Phillips says.
"That is an impossible choice and goes against everything we value in human rights."
Violence compounded by cultural differences
Nyah is a Noor survivor-advocate, and growing up in a violent home in her country of origin, Nyah says she learnt from a very young age to never displease any man.
"For the longest time in my arranged marriage situation I kept thinking of my experiences as normal," she says.
"I have never seen any woman talk back or say no to her husband in my culture, it reflected badly on her if she did."
Nyah says she worked hard to "obey" and behave in a way that would please her husband.
When he would harm her, she would blame herself.
And in an act of coercive control, Nyah's husband would regularly threaten to cancel her visa.
"It was exhausting to live," she says.
"I was made to believe that I had to be extremely grateful about my life in Australia because my visa was sponsored by him."
Many of victim-survivors on temporary visas don't have social networks to lean on, or financial security because they are unable to work.
Ms Phillips says victim-survivors also fear retaliation from family for leaving an abusive relationship.
Nyah says when her husband withdrew her visa, she discovered she had 28 days until it expired.
"I had a fear that if I go back to my country I will be blamed for a failed marriage and that I will be ostracised from my family," she says.
Where to go for help
InTouch CEO Michal Morris says any person is entitled to access relevant services to help them feel safe.
"When you don't think you're safe, it doesn't matter what your visa status is, you can ring up any family violence service and they will do a risk assessment and get you somewhere safe," she says.
Victoria's InTouch, for example, has a crisis response.
"When we get a call from a woman and she says 'I've got the kids in the car, I've just left him what do I do?' we can help with emergency accommodation … we can help them with their goals," Ms Morris says.
"The problem is the emergency crisis is one-off, so for women on no income or limited income, it's not enough to protect them ongoing, which is why we need changes."
If you aren't familiar with your local family violence support service, 1800RESPECT can direct you.
"1800RESPECT counsellors receive cultural responsiveness training to help deliver appropriate and inclusive support for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds," a representative says.
Information on the 1800RESPECT website is also available in 30 languages, and it uses the Translating and Interpreting Service to provide counselling services for non-English speaking callers
Women can also access the Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot through the Australian Red Cross.
It provides support via financial and material aid, food parcels, and clothes or vouchers.
For legal support, Women's and Community Legal Centres (WCLCs) across Australia help individuals access legal assistance for family law, civil matters and migration support.
Ms Philips says it is important to seek legal advice before informing the Department of Immigration the relationship has ended.
Ms Morris recommends victim-survivors connect with a social worker to help them navigate the system.
"There are a lot of people who are willing to go the extra mile. It's about making very limited resources work for these women."
'One small step at a time'
Nyah was able to escape her violent relationship and stay in Australia with the help of InTouch.
She says her heart breaks for women in the same situation and encourages them to keep going.
"To experience family violence, mitigate risk, and keep yourself and your children safe in a very dangerous place takes incredible strength and courage that only you possess," she says.
"No matter where you are from — no culture, no religion, no community condones violence.
"One small step at a time, there is help."
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