Professor Manjula Datta O'Connor

Professor Manjula Datta O'Connor is a psychiatrist, an author, clinician in private practice. Her clinical and research interests include migrant women's mental health, family violence and complex trauma and trauma therapy. She is Adjunct Professor UNSW School of Social Sciences, Hon Clinical A/ Professor at the Department of Psychiatry University of Melbourne, and Chair of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Family Violence Psychiatry Network.

She is the author of acclaimed book Daughters of Durga, which is about the roots of family violence and resilience of victim survivors of South Asian Australian migrant women.

Manjula co-founded the NGO AustralAsian Centre for Human Rights and Health (ACHRH) and successfully led the dowry abuse campaign in Australia, culminating in law change in Victoria, and currently advocating to change Federal Laws and Coercive Control legislation. And she advocates to protect the human rights of victims of domestic violence on temporary visas holders, who have little or no rights in Australia.

Manjula regularly leads ACHRH projects such as community educational programs around promoting mental health, and prevention of family violence. One current project is community participatory theatre Called SNEH THEATRE- produced by the community, for the community.

Manjula is a regular invited advisor to projects and committees.

Recognition: She is the recipient of Meritorious Award of Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Victorian Branch, the Victorian Government Multicultural Award of Excellence in women's mental health, Australian Indian Business and Community Awards, Top 100 Indians of Australia, and Women's Agenda Change Maker award. Manjula's name is mentioned in Federal and State Parliaments, by a number of MPs.