29 Jun Community-led safety videos break new ground
Radwa, Hind and Dahlia are the aunties in “Ask Aunty”.
Community-led safety videos break new ground
The Australian Refugee Association, the University of Adelaide’s School of Public Health, the Burmese Chin community and the Syrian community have produced a series of safety videos, in language, about fire prevention and driving safety.
Newly arrived migrants and refugees face challenges in understanding Australia’s often complex systems and laws.
Many have never encountered such systems. They may have had negative or dangerous interaction with authorities in their homeland through no fault of their own.
Safety resources for new arrivals in Australia are limited. They are usually written in English with translated subtitles. This is an extra challenge for new arrivals who can’t read or write in their own language. It is easier for them to rely on word-of-mouth. Sometimes safety messaging is misinterpreted or misunderstood.
The videos were produced as part of ARA’s New Arrival Safety Project. Members of Adelaide’s Burmese Chin and Syrian communities developed content and acted in the videos to address a safety issue of concern in their community.
The videos are in language, with English subtitles. Each one uses an entertaining style to communicate complex safety messaging.
In “The Road to Freedom”, the Burmese Chin community tell the story of Lian, a new arrival who is keen to get to get his driver’s license. He discovers there is more to driving in Australia than he thought. https://youtu.be/bSCz1gspX74
In “Ask Aunty” the Syrian Women’s community use the style of a morning TV show, with a panel of “agony aunts” giving advice to guests about safe driving. https://youtu.be/64NsdiIRDTA
In “My Terrible Story”, Syrian community member Radwa tells the heartbreaking story of a house fire in voiceover, as children’s drawings of the fire play on screen. https://youtu.be/dXVFWFku9IM
The New Arrivals Safety Project is supported by a grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (SA). The Project consulted South Australia Police, Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Service SA, Legal Services Commission, Kidsafe SA and the Metropolitan Fire Service to develop the safety messaging.
Thank you to our stakeholders and the communities for developing these ground-breaking resources with us.
If you would like to know more about the New Arrival Safety Project or community workshops, please contact Faith Khuplian faith.khuplian@ausref.net or call 08 8354 2951.
The videos were produced on the traditional land of the Kaurna people. We respect their Elders past, present and emerging, and value their ongoing connection to the land and cultural beliefs.