Phase One
UNSW researchers are studying perceptions and experiences of dowry, and particularly when dowry practices might become abusive for women from Indian communities who currently live in Australia (HC Number: HC210585). This includes women currently living in Australia who were:
- born in India
- born in Australia with an Indian cultural background
- or born in another country with an Indian cultural background
Phase 1 of this study involves an online survey that will explore the lived experiences of women from Indian communities in Australia who have experienced dowry abuse, and the perceptions and experiences of their family and friends.
We invite you to participate in the online survey if you meet the following criteria:
You are a woman who:
- is 18 years of age or older
- currently living in Australia
- of an Indian cultural background
- identifies as having experienced dowry abuse.
Or you are a friend or family member of a woman who:
- is 18 years of age or older
- currently living in Australia
- is of an Indian cultural background
- has experienced dowry abuse.
Examples of dowry abuse include but are not limited to:
- Ongoing demands for dowry (e.g., money, gifts).
- Pressure to provide expensive gifts or large sums of money as part of dowry.
- Denigrating comments or harassment about the quantity of quality of dowry brought.
- Punishment for “insufficient” dowry.
- Physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or other abuse in retaliation for “insufficient” dowry or for not giving in to demands for dowry.
- Threats to withdraw sponsorship for visa, or actual withdrawal of sponsorship for visa, if dowry is not provided or if the woman does not ask her parents for more money or gifts.
Participation in this study is voluntary. You do not have to participate.
If you decide to participate in this Phase, you will be asked to complete an online survey.
The online survey will take approximately 20–30 minutes to complete.
The survey will include questions about:
- If you are sharing your own experience of dowry abuse or someone else’s.
- Where the dowry abuse happened (e.g. in Australia, overseas).
- The importance of dowry in the community.
- What you think about dowry as a custom.
- What you feel about the way dowry happens.
- Your experiences and thoughts about the dowry abuse.
- What experiences you or your friend or family member have had in getting support.
To find out more about the online survey, download the Participant Information Statement. You can also 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.
To take part in the survey click here: