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Immigrant Women's
Speakout Association
SpeakOut is a key women’s organisation managed by migrant women, for migrant and refugee women within NSW. We support and empower multicultural women, providing information, guidance and other direct services
read more....Domestic and family violence is the primary cause of homelessness for women and their children.
Home should be a safe place.
Every woman deserves a safe home.
Speak Out and together, we can make a difference!
How can we support you?
- We will guide you on how to navigate the system to seek support.
- We understand the cultural barriers. We are empathetic, we respect you and will support you in culturally sensitive manner.
- We can speak to you in your own language.
If we cannot, we will organise an interpreter for you, so that you can communicate with us freely.
From our clients…
I am independent and happy. I now have a job and I live in the City.
I can’t thank SpeakOut enough… They gave me a safe place to stay, organised to get work rights for me so that I could work, assisted me to get an AVO and even helped me with my residency application.
SpeakOut supported me when I was lost! I had to leave home due to domestic violence. Gradually with their help and support, I regained my self-esteem and my confidence. I have started working again. I am independent. I am happy. I now have a whole new life ahead of me!
I was the victim of domestic violence back in 2014. Now I am working in the financial sector as the Client relationship Executive. My son is now 10 years old.
Thank you SpeakOut! They helped me learn English, study further, be focused and confident. Without their support and guidance, we wouldn’t have survived. I would like to say a big thank you to my Case Manager, who looked after me really well.
One Billion Rising
That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.
Every February, we rise – in countries across the world – to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face.
We rise through dance to express joy and community and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.
Our Vision
A society that values the rich and diverse contribution of immigrant and refugee women.
Our Values
Dignity
We uphold every woman’s right to dignity, choice and independence. We take a strength-based approach to empower immigrant women to speak, act and make choices with enhanced knowledge and confidence.
Respect
We operate on the principles of respect and anti-discrimination. We strive towards equality and equity for multicultural women by
- respecting their views and choices
- fighting for their rights
- challenging the stereotypes in mass media or other sectors of the community.
Safety
Women’s safety is our priority. We provide culturally safe and appropriate services to migrant and refugee women ensuring that in all aspects of our work, their rights and privacy are upheld.
Social Justice
We aim to break down the barriers that prevent immigrant and refugee women from participating fully in the Australian society.
services
Homeless Multicultural Women Integrated Support Service (HOMWISS)
SpeakOut offers information, support and referral services to multicultural women experiencing domestic and family violence, who are or are on the verge of being homeless. Most of our clients are women on temporary visas with very limited financial resources.
Women’s Shelter
It provides crisis accommodation to multicultural women (with no children) escaping domestic violence. It provides a safe place for women who are on the verge of being homeless, providing them security, hope and help to rebuild their self-esteem and regain confidence.
Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre
Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre facilitates a range of activities for women to promote community engagement, skills development and to reduce isolation. We offer regular classes such as English Conversation and Computer Literacy. We also offer Sewing classes to empower women to be financially independent.
Advocacy – Upholding your rights
We advocate for the rights of refugee and migrant women, representing their issues and ideas at all levels of government, community, media and the industrial sectors. Our work includes community and media education projects, arts projects, research and publications.
about us
Our Story
In March 1982, 300 women gathered in Sydney to speak out publicly on the issues affecting women of non-English speaking backgrounds. As a result of this landmark meeting, a working party was convened. This led to the establishment of the Immigrant Women’s SpeakOut Association of NSW (SpeakOut) in 1985 and its incorporation in 1987.
These strong, visionary women realized, more than 40 years ago, that migrant women have specific needs and requirements. They need empathy, support and specialized organisations that understand their issues and provide assistance in culturally appropriate manner.
SpeakOut is a peak body providing information, referrals, education and advocacy for migrant and refugee women within NSW. Our services include community development projects, homelessness and domestic violence victim support, employment, education and training. SpeakOut is managed by women of non- English speaking backgrounds.
Testimonials
“There’s always someone to help you… ask for advice and get counselling to find a solution out. Everyone has the right to live, to be happy” – Sangeeta, Fiji
“They [migrant and refugee women experiencing domestic and family violence] should not lose hope. And they should fight for their rights.” – Aarya, Pakistan
“Nobody will hit me, nobody will punch me. That was my past… New chapter, new life. I got something back.” – Warren, Philippines
Immigrant Women’s SpeakOut Association NSW Inc. acknowledges that we work on the traditional lands of the Burramattagal people of the Darug nation. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present.
Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association (IWSA) acknowledges the Barramattagal People of the lands on which we work and operate. We pay our respects and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW.