Exploring what water safety means to overseas born mothers and carers of children under FIVE years from CaLD backgrounds

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Year: 2020 - current

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Project Team: Dr Justine Leavy (Curtin University), Dr Gemma Crawford (Curtin University), Malena Della Bona (Curtin University & Lauren Nimmo (RLSSWA)

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The context: People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) groups are vulnerable to drowning in Australia, and are a priority in national water safety strategies. This project is interested in insights from CaLD mothers and carers regarding drowning and water safety for both themselves and their children.

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Objectives:

• Examine perceptions of water safety and drowning prevention from women in culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) groups

• Explore barriers & facilitators to water familiarisation skills amongst CaLD women

• Develop recommendations for drowning prevention resources and strategies specifically designed for women from CaLD backgrounds and their children aged under 5 years

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Project impacts: This project will work with community organisations established CaLD populations and the domains of enquiry will explore perceptions, experiences and behaviours of water safety and water-based activities and water familiarisation. The findings will provide recommendations for drowning prevention resources and strategies specifically designed for RLSSWA. This aligns with The Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) 2016-2020 to reduce drowning deaths in high - risk populations that include culturally diverse population, migrants, international students and international tourists.