Institutional Trust and Mistrust among Migrant and Refugee Women in Australia

This briefing paper draws on findings from a major study focusing on experiences of safety and security among migrant and refugee women in Australia. We focus here on findings relating to participants’ levels of trust across a number of institutions. A lack of institutional trust can impact social, economic, and political participation and negatively impact willingness to seek help and cooperate with various institutional actors. The findings from this study offer an evidence base

to guide decision-making around allocating resources to support the needs of migrant and refugee women in Australia, and in the development of strategies that respond to the factors that undermine trust in state institutions, including the police.