By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
POLICE officer Maha Sukkar is something of a pioneer.
The Lebanese-born Maha was the first Victorian police officer to wear a hijab as part of her uniform.
And now Senior Constable Sukkar, based at Dandenong Police Station, is one of just two multicultural liaison officers who work in the southern metro region.
In her own words, helping to prevent family violence has been a “passion” of Maha’s and made her a perfect guest speaker for Casey Multi-Faith Network annual White Ribbon luncheon, held at Casey Council chambers on Thursday 19 November.
In her line of work, Maha sees how family violence can wreak havoc within multicultural communities and she understands how important her role is in changing societal stereotypes.
She deals with about two cases a week related to forced marriage.
Laws passed by the Labor government in 2013 made it illegal to coerce, threaten or deceive someone into marriage.
“Working with multicultural communities, family violence is very rife … because it’s the culture, it’s the way we were brought up, it’s the way things are done,” she told the audience.
“Marital rape is right now my absolute work … I hate it but I work with it, because it’s really, really hard.
“Forced marriage is another form of family violence that I manage.
“Again it’s still under the carpet, it’s big these days, especially among multicultural communities.
“It happens to 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds, marrying them off to a 30-year-old and forcing them to get married.”
Drawing on recent statistics, Maha noted that there had been 390 reports of family violence in Casey just in the past month.
And she said acts of violence against women in public were becoming more prevalent.
“There’s a lot lately and there’s more now since the Paris attacks, unfortunately, (against) women who are obviously Muslims or obviously religious,” she said.
“I’m urging people to report. If you know your neighbour is having an issue with her husband, please report it.
“At least call me personally, go the police station at Dandenong and ask for Maha.
“Everyone knows who Maha is.”
She said she was happy to sit down and talk to anyone.
“Especially if that person is from a multicultural background and is scared of police,” Maha said.
“There’s always ways of doing things.”
If you need help, contact Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre 1800 015 188, or go to www.safesteps.org.au.
