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What is this study about?

The Understanding perceptions and experiences of dowry and dowry abuse of women from Indian communities in Australia study is a research project that aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of dowry with a particular focus on where dowry practices may have become abusive for women from Indian communities and who are currently residing in Australia.

The study aims to explore the lived experiences of these women, as well as inviting their family and friends to share related experiences and observations. Service providers who support women affected by dowry abuse, will also be invited to share their perceptions and experiences.

What will be addressed?

The study seeks to address the following research questions:

  • How do participants describe their understandings of dowry, and its significance in social and cultural contexts?
  • What behaviours associated with dowry are perceived or experienced by participants as unhelpful or harmful?
    • What behaviours are identified by participants as constituting dowry abuse?
    • What factors or contexts facilitate recognition of specific behaviours as constituting dowry abuse?
  • When the process of dowry becomes unhelpful, harmful or abusive, what kinds of support are accessed by women?
    • What responses by others in family or society were helpful or unhelpful?
    • What currently absent support mechanisms or responses did participants identify?
Who is conducting this study?

This study is being carried out by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. They include:

Professor Jan Breckenridge (Chief Investigator), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.

Emeritus Professor Louise Edwards (Co-investigator), School of Humanities & Languages, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.

Adjunct Professor Manjula O'Connor (Co-investigator), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.

Ms Sara Singh (Student Investigator), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.

This study is being conducted as part of Ms Sara Singh's PhD research and has ethical approval from the UNSW Human Research Ethics Committee A (HC Number: HC210585).
Why is this study important?

The study will allow us to understand perceptions and experiences of dowry and where dowry may be experienced as abusive. In doing so, it will inform support and responses for women who have experienced dowry abuse.

What are the different components of the study?

The study is made up of 3 main components:

Phase 1 – An online survey of:

  • Women from Indian communities who are currently living in Australia who have experienced dowry abuse; and
  • Their friends and family members who have witnessed dowry abuse.

Phase 2 – Interviews with:

  • Women from Indian communities who are currently living in Australia who have experienced dowry abuse; and
  • Their friends and family members who have witnessed dowry abuse.

Phase 3 – Interviews with:

  • Service providers in Australia who provide support for women who experience dowry abuse.
I am interested in participating, how can I find out more?

We are currently seeking volunteers to participate in the study.

If you are interested in participating in Phase 1 (online survey) of this study, click this link to find out more about the research and its participation criteria:


If you are interested in participating in Phase 2 (interviews) of this study, click this link to find out more about the research and its participation criteria:


If you have any queries, you can contact Sara Singh on 0468 956 642 or sara.singh@unsw.edu.au.

Your contribution to the research will help us understand perceptions and experiences of dowry and where dowry may be experienced as abusive. In doing so, it will inform support and responses for women who have experienced dowry abuse.

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