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Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association of NSW, 32nd Annual Report

IMMIGRANT WOMEN’S

SPEAKOUT ASSOCIATION OF NSW

Speaking out for 35 years and counting...

2 Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association of NSW, 32nd Annual Report

Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association of NSW, 32nd Annual Report 3

About Us

Contents:

Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association of NSW (IWSA) is a key women’s organisation which values and acknowl-

edges the cultural and linguistic, multigenerational diversity of migrant and refugee women. It is an organisation that

empowers these women to achieve gender equality in all areas of their lives. IWSA provides education, information

and other direct services to women of Non-English Speaking Background (NESB)/Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

(CALD) backgrounds in NSW.

IWSA represents the issues and ideas of migrant and refugee women to all levels of government, in the community

services and industrial sectors, and to the media.

SpeakOut is an independent advocate representing the issues and ideas of immigrant and refugee women at all levels

of government, in community services and industrial sectors, and to the media.

SpeakOut hopes to create and sustain lasting change by:

Giving women the tools and confidence to achieve complete political, social, and economic autonomy,

Creating awareness of the issues that face our clients and their communities through policy research and advo-

cacy, consultation groups, and training programs,

Educating and protecting immigrant and refugee women who want to live free from domestic and family vio-

lence, and

Providing a forum and opportunity for these women to have their voices heard.

Chairperson’s Report………………………………..………………………………………………................ 4

Executive Officer’s Report……………………………………………………………………………………... 5

Treasurer’s Report ……………………………………………………………………………………………... 6

Community Engagement………………………..……………………………………………………………... 7

Collaborative Partnership………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre ………………………………………………………………………. 8

Community Skills Development………………………………………………………………………… 8

Mentoring and Leadership……………………………………………………………………………… 10

Community Building Activities………………………………………………………………………… 10

HoMWISS………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 13

Multicultural Women’s Shelter…………………………………………………………………………………. 14

Year in Numbers………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

Success Stories……………………………………………………………………...………………………….. 16

Management Committee and Staff List……………………………………………………………................ 17

Membership Form…………………………..…………………………………………………………………... 18


Chairperson’s Report

Chairperson: VIVI GERMANOS-KOUTSOUNADIS

Migrant and refugee women speaking out for 35 years and counting ……

C elebrating the 35th Founding Anniversary of the Immigrant Women’s Speakout Associa-

tion in March this year warms my heart and this feeling goes the same for all of our mem-

bership and friends. The establishment of the IWSA Multicultural Women’s Shelter

provides a glimpse of the very bright future ahead for migrant and refugee women escaping do-

mestic and family violence.

The recent five years in the period 2012 – 2017, has brought challenges and we surpassed these

with support of all our membership and the different stakeholders in the Domestic and Family

Violence sector. There were many communities, service providers (both government and non-

government) and politicians who had shown appreciation and highly valued our work and they

saw the positive outcomes for the many immigrant and refugee women we had assisted. Thus

IWSA has been and continues to be funded by the New South Wales Family and Community

Services (FACS) in delivering the HoMWISS (Homeless Multicultural Women Integrated Sup-

port Service) and the IWRC (Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre).

Within the third decade, the years 2002 – 2012, the IWSA has held a Skilled Migrant Place-

ment Program E-Commerce Skills Exhibit. The event was organised by the IWSA SMPO

(Skilled Migrant Placement Officer) and the May Murray Neighbourhood Centre SMPO. The

exhibit attracted 1,200 employers, recruitment agencies, education providers and job seek-

ers to the venue at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre. In 2004, Multicultural Family Support

Services (MFSS) – Early Intervention was delivered by IWSA. This provided intensive flexible

support tailored to the specific needs of the each family, including, culturally appropriate case-

work; counselling; crisis counselling; ongoing centre-based support, home-visiting and outreach

service; out-of-hours service; provision of information, options and referrals relating to family sup-

port and parenting services as well as referrals on other issues related to settlement (housing,

financial assistance, legal issues, etc.).

In the second decade of the years 1993 – 2003, one of the achievements was the conven-

ing of the Coalition Against Violence Against Immigrant and Refugee Women, (this be-

came the NESB Domestic Violence Network) by the IWSA NESB DV Women Project Team.

The role of the coalition is to coordinate and address issues including the Apprehended Violence

Order, interpreters and bilingual workers and improving service provision. The team provided

training to service providers and community groups, strengthened networks of rural NESB women

as well as ongoing advocacy and policy efforts. The Department of Social Security (DSS) had

introduced changes to the New Start Allowance. The DSS imposed a two-year waiting period

before newly-arrived immigrants can access the New Start Allowance. Within the context of the

new changes the IWSA Domestic Violence Team organised a Women With No Income Network

to study and take actions on the disadvantage and vulnerabilities of migrant and refugee women

who cannot access welfare payments while escaping DFV. This was also the decade the IWSA

commenced its involvement in the Women At Risk program and it launched the IWSA Older

NESB Women Research Report.

The first ten years since its foundation, the years 1982 – 1992 ushered in the setting up of the

Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre at John Street, Lidcombe in 1985. The IWRC’s key activ-

ities and early priority were resourcing, supporting and establishing ethnic women’s groups. In

1990, the Domestic Violence NESB Women Project commenced and was funded by the De-

partment of Family and Community Services (FACS) under the Supported Accommodation Assis-

tance Program (SAAP) to provide support service to NESB women. The project’s focus was to

advocate for clients’ access to community services, asserting equity rights and build CALD wom-

en’s independence by increasing their skills and knowledge in sustaining safety and getting paid

jobs.

The IWSA success story of its journey with thousands of migrant and refugee women towards

equity and access continues. In this light I wish to thank all you in particular all our supporters and

friends for all the assistance that you had provided to IWSA through the years.

“The IWSA success story on

its journey with thousands of

migrant and refugee women

towards equity and access

continues. “


Executive Officer’s Report Executive Officer: JANE

“HoMWISS clients and IWSA staff

had identified a core service gap –

which is a refuge/shelter for CALD

women escaping Domestic and

Family Violence. “

Our journey to a bright future . . .

T he Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association’s (IWSA) Strategic Plan 2015-2018

enters its last year of implementation. The first two years in 2015-2016 and 2016-

2017 the IWSA was part of the community sector stakeholders that deliberated on

our practice in service delivery within the frame of Social Collective Impact (CSI) with its

Program Logic, later the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) and

lately the Results Based Accountability (RBA). For the next Strategic Planning IWSA will be

considering the best framework to use in measuring the best outcomes of migrant and refu-

gee women.

In 2015-2016 IWSA Strategic Plan implementations, we focused in establishing internal

protocols for identifying gaps in the IWSA service provision. All project workers had included

documenting gaps in their service delivery reports. These gaps have been shared at meet-

ings of the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) Western Sydney District Implementing

Group as well as in different Inter-agency and network meetings of the community sector

including committees and networks on DFV Prevention and Early Intervention. The shortage

in crisis accommodation for CALD women who do not have children and with no or low in-

come had figured in high scale of the service gaps. This year we also identified success

stories that can inspire CALD women in taking action to stop violence against women and

reclaiming self-esteem and self-confidence. These success stories had opened new options

for women escaping forced marriage, domestic and family violence and to overcome long-

term unemployment, and discrimination against older CALD women.

In 2016-2017 IWSA Strategic Plan implementation has put priority on Quality Assurance

System Self-assessment using the SHS service delivery standards. Through the Homeless-

ness Sector Development being led by the three peak bodies, the DV NSW, Homelessness

NSW and the Y Foundation, IWSA and other SHS funded service providers were able to

secure support and assistance in preparing our compliance process. IWSA was able to

complete most of the documentation of the core policies and procedures as evidence of our

good practice based on the SHS Quality Assurance System.

During this year’s Strategic Plan implementation, IWSA had conducted a client satisfaction

survey. The key findings of the survey were: ninety percent (98%) of clients were very satis-

fied with the outcome of the services they had accessed from IWSA. Others indicated areas

for improvement such as larger room for group activities and applying for funding to run

aquatic fitness for older CALD women. IWSA will undertake actions on the areas for im-

provement in the 2017-2018 implementing program of the Strategic Plan.

As described on the early part of this report, in 2016 the HoMWISS clients and staff mem-

bers had identified a core service gap which is a refuge/shelter for CALD women escaping

DFV. Through the assistance of Ms Julia Finn, MP for Granville and support of the Younes

family, IWSA has established and launched the Multicultural Women’s Shelter (MWS) on the

9th of November 2016.

For the year 2017-2018 IWSA Strategic Plan implementation and in light of the review of the

IWSA Strategic Plan 2015-2018, IWSA is holding focus groups in the form of Roundtable

Conversations. On 23 May 2017, we have had the Roundtable Conversations on Safe, Re-

spectful and Health Relationships. Then, on 31 May we held the Roundtable on Working

CALD Women with Asian Women at Work as our lead partner-member organisation. The

results of these two roundtables will also feed into the implementing program in 2017 – 2018

of our Strategic Plan and the forthcoming IWSA Strategic Planning process for 2018-2021.

One of the key activities of next year’s implementing program of the Strategic Plan is to

undertake a review of IWSA partnership and identify innovative approaches in progressing

current priorities for collaboration.


Treasurer’s Report Treasurer: LINA CABAERO

A s Treasurer, I must say that the Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association

(IWSA) has a great team of workers, volunteers and Management Committee

members. I say a very big thank you for your hard work in service delivery and

other support activities for clients.

In this financial year (2016-2017) IWSA had two core programs - the HoMWISS (Homeless

Multicultural Women Integrated Support Service) funded under the Supported Specialist

Homelessness Services (SHS) and the Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre – Multicultur-

al Project funded under Community Builders. Both are funded by the NSW FACS (Family

and Community Services).

IWSA acknowledges the valuable partnership we have with various government agencies

we work with on the federal, state and local level. These partnerships are important to us in

addressing the needs of CALD women and their children. These partnerships enable us to

continue providing services and resources to immigrant and refugee women, children and

families. We value the funding and support we receive from the NSW FACS (Family and

Community Services) for it allows us to respond to the needs of immigrant and refugee

women with young children.

In this financial year (2016-2017), IWSA received a donation from the Australian-Chinese

Charity Foundation (ACCF). The donation is for IWSA's new program - the Multicultural

Women’s Shelter. IWSA is committed to further seek funding for new projects as it contin-

ues its work as a key organisation for immigrant and refugee women.

All our achievements are possible due not only to a great team of staff but also to sound

management and support from a hardworking and dedicated Management Committee. On

behalf of the IWSA, we say thank you to Mohan Packianathan our Accountant, Emina Ko-

vac our Administration Officer, and Sandra Grollmus our external Auditor and to Jane Brock

– IWSA Executive Officer for great leadership and teamwork.

And it is with immense confidence that we present our statement of financial performance.

We present this short form of IWSA's financial reports for the year ended 30 June 2017.

They are a true and accurate view of IWSA’s financial position. I further state that IWSA is

a sound organisation financially and will have no problem paying its debts as and when

they fall due.

“IWSA acknowledges the valua-

ble partnership we have with

various government agencies

we work with on the federal,

state and local level. These

partnerships are important to us

in addressing the needs of

CALD women and their chil-

dren. “


Collaborative Partnership

I WSA continues to build its networks and capacity by linking with women’s organisations to ensure our clients have the full

benefit of a well-rounded and connected support system. Our goal is to build the capacity of service providers: government

and non-government to work together in addressing the widespread issues of homelessness and domestic and family vio-

lence in our community. Our collaborative partnership with other people and staff members of other service providers helped us

to support and assist migrant and refugee women. This includes temporary residents who cannot fully access the government

system because of their residency status.

IWSA convenes the NESB DV Network which aims to provide a forum for discussion of the concerns of community and govern-

ment workers and victims around issues of DFV in CALD communities. The “Empty Shoes” project of the NESB DV Network has

gained popular demand and is used to raise awareness of domestic homicide during the White Ribbon Day and 16 Days of Activ-

ism on Violence Against Women.

During 2016-2017, IWSA also participated in the following networks and committees: Outer West Domestic Violence Network

(OWDVN), Metwest Violence Prevention Network, Stop Domestic Violence Action Group (SDVAG), Multicultural Affairs Advisory

Group, NSW Women’s Alliance and the Forum of Non-Government Agencies.

IWSA continues to participate in the Western Sydney District Homelessness Implementation Group (DHIG) and District Home-

lessness Operations Group (DHOG) meetings. We advocate for the needs of CALD women and their children and raise issues

that affect them.

IWSA presented or delivered informal training, information sessions and workshop to the community groups and educational in-

stitutions such as Bossley Park School, Bankstown Senior College and some Health Services to raise awareness about the issue

DFV and accessing the Family Violence Provisions

T he Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association has placed great emphasis on engaging CALD women by working with

IWSA members, volunteers and established CALD groups and grassroots by using IWSA resources such as meeting

place. Working with refugee women’s groups and associations, has established a wider networking to bring positive

changes in the life of women from culturally and linguistically diverse background. Working with grassroots migrant and refugee

women from different emerging ethnic groups and community organisations (NOOR Association, Afghan Women’s Network,

Philippines Australia Women’s Association, Philippines Australia Community Services, Migrante Australia, Asian Women at

Work, Indian, Iranian, and Sri Lankan and Pakistani women groups) is one of the outstanding achievements of IWSA this year.

Community building activities such as organising cultural events were held as planned. On 29 April 2017 a Multicultural Wom-

en’s Gathering was organised by IWSA at the Granville Town Hall where more than 100 women from different ethnicities attend-

ed and enjoyed a night out, having fun and entertainment. The Gathering ended with expression of their feedback and sugges-

tions for more activities for future planning.

Celebrating the cultural festival of Eid Alfetr (2nd October 2016 Granville Youth and Community Recreation Centre, Eid Alhu-

dah Women’s International Day and Mother’s Day (14 May 2016, Granville Town Hall) was organised by IWSA to acknowledge

multiculturalism and project immigrant and refugee women’s voice in the mainstream Australian community.

Community Engagement


Immigrant Women’s Resource Centre

Community Skills Development

“I can’t wait for Wednesdays to come to IWSA English class to have fun and learn meaningful conversations in

a caring, supporting and dynamic learning environment. We have gained confidence through group work and

sharing stories.”

T he IWSA Community Skills Development program has the English conversation class as one of its key

activities. This has been running for more than 12 years at IWSA’s Immigrant Women’s Resource Cen-

tre (IWRC). Participation is a maximum of 10-12 women from different ethnic backgrounds: Afghan,

Iranian Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese, Turkish and others. The English Conversation Class also facili-

tated the strengthening of CALD women’s support network.

The English Conversation sessions resulted to increased access to service providers. It has helped women to

communicate easier with their GPs (General Practitioners-medical doctors) such as filling up the basic forms

and answering in English for phone calls from community services. The class is more informal and focuses on

the areas of interest such as women’s issues, health, culture and identity, and cooking. The topics covered in-

cluded how to say appropriate greetings, basic conversation using simple discussion styles on daily activities

such as description other countries, Australian geography, basic human anatomy, important aspects of Australi-

an legal system, consumer rights, race and gender discrimination, DFV and forced marriage in different com-

munities in Australia, stress management, safety, social media ( Facebook, email and others). Participants also

learn how to fill up the basic forms in travelling such as flight itinerary.


Feedback from the participants:

“I am very glad that now I can book my doctor’s appointment. In the past I had to ask my daughter or son to do it for

me. “

“It is a great joy that the English class has motivated me to learn computer and start writing English as well.”

“The English class has improved my public speaking and motivated me to express my opinion to the group rather to

be quiet and passive.”

“Now I am able to understand over 50% of the news and other interesting programs I watch on TV.”

“The English class has helped me gain more confidence and reclaim my self-esteem as well.”

“The English and the computer classes at IWSA have assisted me to communicate with my friends and relatives on

Facebook and send them email in English.”

“In some occasions sharing food during lunch after the class, and a good conversation in our language give us a

sense of pride of our identity and our culture.”

The Conversation class this year has put priority on improving writing skills. Participants practiced writing correspond-

ences and worked on several mocked up correspondence so that they can fully comprehend and take on skills that

will provide them confidence in writing letters.

Using English language in learning to cook new recipes or favourite food was another topic that participants learned.

This provides them confidence to participate in social and cultural gatherings that has people from other ethnic back-

grounds. Some of the events they attended this year are Eid al-Fitr, International Women’s Day, Stop Violence

Against Women, Refugee Rights Forum, Women’s Rights and Migration.


Community Building Activities

Awareness and Information Sessions on Domestic and Family Violence

“Awareness-raising is one of the first steps in community transformation. As one becomes more and more aware of

what’s going on in the community one could experience the beginning of a life changing process in all aspects of her

or his life.”

R aising awareness about DFV and its impact on families, especially on young men and women is the first priority of

IWSA Plan of Action. Information sessions for women’s groups, high schools and TAFE students were conducted in

the line with the DFV Prevention Strategy of New South Wales government.

IWSA Project officers held an information session for the staff at Blacktown Hospital on 5th of June 2017. Sixty participants in-

cluding doctors, nurses and other service providers who also had their presentations that day joined the session.

On 23rd May 2017 a one-day Roundtable Conversation the “Multicultural Women’s Journey to Healthy, Safe and Respectful

Relationship” was held in Merrylands. Almost 40 women from different communities and suburbs such as Afghan, Iranian, Chi-

nese, Pakistani, Iraqi, Indonesian and Lebanese attended this session. The Roundtable participants had focused their discus-

sions on “How do we maintain the healthy, safe and respectful relationship.” Ms Darweshi, one of the participants talked about

DFV in her community, how to overcome DFV trauma and how to get assistance from other women in the community and from

organisations supporting women. Many attendees raised questions on DFV’s impact on children and how to assist women in the

community who are experiencing domestic and family violence. IWSA distributed brochures and other information that contains

contact numbers of service providers who they can seek help.

In February 2017 an awareness-raising workshop on DV was held for the residents at the IWSA Multicultural Women’s Shelter.

The residents were women from India, Vietnam, China and Iran who were sponsored by their partners and are holding the tem-

porary spouse visa. The workshop is aimed at raising awareness on DFV is a crime and it is not tolerated in Australia under any

circumstances.

“Awareness without action is worthless”

Mentoring and Leadership

M entoring takes many forms and is instrumental in the lives of many people. IWSA’S mentors helped women make

connections, think of difficult issues and set long term goals. These women continued to come to improve their

knowledge and skills and to understand the issues that they face. IWSA mentors helped them strengthen their

skills and helped encourage independence and self-reliance. They learned how to navigate the NSW community service sys-

tem, get job ready, understand their rights and responsibilities under certain circumstances (e.g. domestic and family violence)

and were guided to understand the impact of a healthy relationship. Through the mentoring sessions, women were empow-

ered to make their own decisions and choices in their day-to-day life. Building self-esteem and confidence is at the foundation

of IWSA’s support to ensure lasting and future success for all mentees. Through their mentoring sessions, they developed

skills in writing their own statutory declarations and how to procure the needed evidentiary requirements under the Family Vio-

lence Provisions (FVP) of the Migration Regulations.

Aside from the women who came to our service as well as individual clients, IWSA also mentored student in placement and

were trained to do case management and how to support clients of CALD background.


A Roundtable Conversation on Multicultur-al Women’s Journey to a Healthy, Safe and Respectful Relationship was held on 23 May 2017. Around 40 women from different communities participated in this event. Participants had discussed the needs of CALD women in their journey to a healthy, safe and respectful relationship, and how all levels of government can sup-port CALD communities in achieving this goal.

Women empowerment through community engagement essentially addresses the social, cultural, political and economic changes. It will provide the opportunity for women to voice their needs and express their concerns in building partnerships with community organizations to find solutions.

Active participation and effective commu-nication plays a vital role in ensuring com-munity empowerment. It encourages dis-cussion and deliberations in consultations, women’s activity groups, and in a roundtable conversation on specific issue. This will increase knowledge and aware-ness, and enables communities to under-stand better. It will also help them to take their own voice and decisions to the rele-vant authorities for the positive changes.


The Vietnamese participants said English is very im-portant to improve working conditions of migrant women.

The Chinese participants said information on rights at work is very important.

22 migrant women workers came together for the Roundtable on Employment and Education. Here they are doing the Community Song ice breaker.

The Roundtable Conversation on Work-

ing CALD Women participants call -

Migrant and refugee women say No to

sexual harassment!

No to exploitation of women!

This Roundtable has been a partnership with

Asian Women at Work.


Homeless Multicultural Women Integrated Support Service

HoMWISS

F or the year 2017-2020, IWSA’s HoMWISS receives ongoing funding from the SHS NSW Family and Community Services.

This year clients were provided with support and assistance through direct service delivery in the form of case manage-

ment in a client centred environment. Clients were assessed and guided in making their own choices through an individu-

al case management plan tailored to their own needs. Our HoMWISS Project Officers focused on the strengths of our clients ra-

ther than their deficits. Clients were encouraged to develop their skills. They were motivated to believe that they are the experts

themselves. Our Project Officer’s role is to help them develop and use their strengths to overcome their barriers and prevent re-

lapse to distress and lack of self-confidence.

Clients escaping domestic and family violence were provided emotional support and mentored in different life skills to reclaim their

self-esteem and self-confidence.

The leading cause of homelessness for the majority of IWSA’s clients is domestic and family violence. HoMWISS provides women

with information and support to ensure safety, and access to housing, financial support, and counselling. Our project officers are

there from intake to successful achievement of each woman’s self-determined action pathways to safety and access to community

services. The service also provides referral to relevant services while working with Link2Home and SHS providers to deliver holis-

tic, wrap-around service to those who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless.

Our Project Officers supported and assisted 204 CALD women and their children over the period July 2016 to June 2017. Of

these clients, 126 are homeless and 78 are at risk of being homeless. Over 95% of support periods delivered by IWSA were for

clients who were homeless or at risk of being homeless due to domestic and family violence (DFV). DFV and homelessness con-

tinue to be widespread and intensifying problems in Australia. The most disadvantaged clients identified by IWSA Project Officers

during this period were those who have applied for Partner Visa but are still on Bridging Visa. DFV victims who are on Bridging

Visas are not eligible to receive appropriate services and legal advice due to their visa status. They are not even eligible for Spe-

cial Benefit through Centrelink. The only way to assist them for financial assistance is through the Victims Services – Victims Sup-

port Scheme. Through the Victims Support Scheme, we were able to assist clients to apply for free counselling, financial assis-

tance and/or recognition payment.

IWSA project officers assisted and supported clients to access different services like, the Department of Immigration, Centrelink,

and link them to those services providing accommodation through Link2Home and the Domestic Violence Line for women with

children. The safety of IWSA’s clients including their children is the primary concern and is accounted for in all Project Officer case

plans. It is very important for CALD women and children who approach the service to live in a safe and healthy environment. Sin-

gle women were provided accommodation through the IWSA’s Multicultural Women’s Shelter which was launched in November

2016 and opened in January 2017.

Aside from the 204 clients recorded in the SHS Client Information Management System (CIMS), IWSA has worked with 1,720 low

effort clients not formally recorded in CIMS this financial year. These additional clients were not recorded because of lack of infor-

mation or refusal to provide consent to information collection and reporting. In spite of these constraints IWSA still provided infor-

mation and advice relevant to their issues and provided low effort clients with numbers to call including: 000 in case of emergency

(Police), Link2Home, Legal Aid, Law Access, WDVCAS, Domestic Violence Help Line, 1800RESPECT, etc. Most of these clients

were at risk of homelessness.

IWSA also provided co-case management with other SHS providers. Co-case management is when more than one support work-

er provides casework support to the same client. Collaborative casework is best achieved if there is good communication and a

clear case plan that each case worker has agreed to implement in a cooperative way.


Multicultural Women’s Shelter

S ince it was launched on the 9th of November 2016, the Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association’s eight (8)-bed Multi-

cultural Women’s Shelter (MWS) continues to provide a safe place to CALD women who are escaping domestic and

family violence. The MWS residents had accessed Victims Services, Anglicare in Parramatta, Parramatta Mission and

different Migrant Resource Centres in Western Sydney. Through these services IWSA MWS was able to provide a wrap-around

service provision to all MWS residents. In March 2017, we received a large amount of donation from the Australian Chinese

Charity Foundation for MWS. The Shelter has provided temporary accommodation to 15 CALD women from January 2017 up to

the present and continuing. Of the 15 MWS residents:

5 of them were provided with a safe accommodation for less than 12 weeks and had moved to private rental accommo-

dation, and got paid jobs

10 of the residents were provided accommodation for up to 16 weeks, 8 of them found got paid jobs and moved to pri-

vate rental shared apartments

7 of the residents had accessed Victims Services but only 4 were successful. One was not successful and two are still

waiting for approval.

We use Results Based Accountability (RBA) framework in mapping the next stage of IWSA MWS service provision and out-

comes of clients:

-Residents are safe and supported to overcome trauma from domestic and family violence

-Residents are supported to reclaim self-esteem and self-confidence

-Residents are supported to regain good nutrition, sanitation, proper hygiene and well-being

-Residents are provided with knowledge and skills to be job-ready and acquire paid jobs

-Residents are able to rent or share a unit within the private rental property and mentored in sustain their accommodation

We continue our best practice strategy of sustained and higher level of outcomes through mentoring wherein the residents are

co-planners of their individual case plan and safety action plan. A Woman to Woman Support process is offered to residents

who need a one-on-one assistance with some of their needs such as researching and negotiating for a private rental accommo-

dation.

A Success Story of a resident at IWSA Multicultural Women’s Shelter

Violy is a South Asian woman who migrated to Australia in 2015. She married an Australian citizen with the same ethnic back-

ground. Violy is a Health Worker in her country. Her partner visa was sponsored by her husband. Violy was able to get a paid

job right away as Health Worker.

After 14 months of arriving in Australia she was subjected to domestic violence by her husband. This brief write up cannot fully

describe the horrendous experience of Violy. Later on Violy has to resign from her job and escape from the violence of her

husband. She went to seek help from a medical doctor who later advised her to seek support from community services. The

NSW DV Line had made a referral to the Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association in January 2017.

The IWSA Project Officer (Caseworker) had assessed the safety and well-being needs of Violy and her eligibility to access the

Multicultural Women’s Shelter residency. Violy was accepted as resident in mid-January 2017.

The IWSA Project Officer made referral for Violy to apply for Centrelink Crisis Payment. She was successful in her application

and had used her crisis payment for food, transport and participation fee for the MWS for utility costs. Violy was referred to a

psychologist for trauma and therapy. The IWSA Project Officer also assisted Violy in accessing Family Violence Provisions

(FVP) of the Migration Regulations. In the second week of March 2017, Violy was accepted as Health Worker in Parramatta

LGA and was able to get a shared bedroom in a private rental near her workplace. She has been progressing in reducing the

level of her trauma and got an AVO against husband.

In the last week of March 2017, Violy has had a Service Exit Assessment and left the MWS and feeling she had reclaimed self

-esteem and self-confidence, and looking forward to a productive and safe life in Australia.


Year in Numbers

Number of people attended our Events

495

Number of attendances for English,

Computer and Sewing Classes

662

Number of attendances for

Volunteers Trainings

201

204 women were supported through HOMWISS.

They were contacted 1,338 times.

Number of clients provided with information and advice

1,720


Success Stories

*Mather came to Australia on a fiancée visa. She had a teenage son, 13 year old boy from her previous marriage.

Mather and her husband were living together for 4 months, when her husband began to complain that she is not contributing to

the household financially. She was unable to find a job due to her visa restrictions. Her husband said that her son is a burden on

him and he demanded Mather to send the child back to her country of origin.

When Mather refused to do it, her partner stopped to provide money for food. He was verbally abusing and insulting her, coming

home drunk every night. She was very concerned for her safety and especially for safety of her child.

Mather was referred to Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association by the Police Local Area Command. The IWSA Project Officer

assisted Mather to get out of violent relationship and to move to the safe place. She was able to reclaim her self-esteem through

therapeutic counselling which was organised for her. She was supported in her application for permanent residence under the

Family Violence Provisions. Mather was successful in gaining PR and that paved her way for access to community services.

Mather got a cleaning job at the Hospital. She was able to save some money to pay her son’s private school fees. She did Disa-

bility Workers Course and is now working full-time as a personal carer. She is renting a two bedroom unit in private rental ar-

rangement.

Mather was grateful to Speakout for all support she received. She is very happy that she and her son are now safe and free from

violence.

*Not the real name

*Selina is a young woman who came to our organisation after becoming homeless because of domestic and family violence. She

called Domestic Violence Helpline for help and she was provided with the contact number of Immigrant Women’s Speakout Asso-

ciation.

She came in Australia on a Prospective Spouse Visa, got married with her sponsor and applied for a Partner Visa. Later on do-

mestic violence occurred and for fear of her safety, she left her husband and became homeless. The NSW Domestic Violence

Helpline facilitated her access to a short term-accommodation for three nights and after that she stayed temporarily with her

friends.

IWSA provided her a wrap-around service, made sure that she was safe. Her needs were identified and provided assistance and

support including her immigration issue through a case management plan in accordance with her needs and choices. IWSA re-

ferred her to Victims Services and she was approved for counselling. She has undergone her counselling sessions and she grad-

ually recovered from her traumatic experience. While undergoing her therapeutic counselling, she was also provided mentoring

sessions by her mentor at IWSA. The mentoring sessions include:

Self-care

Homelessness and domestic violence

Self-confidence and Getting Job Ready

Selina was assisted to connect to her community. She participated in IWSA’s activities and met other women from different back-

ground. She finally regained her self-confidence and started to work in a Restaurant business. She moved out from her friend

and got her own accommodation. She was so happy that she got IWSA contact detail from Domestic Violence Helpline.

She manifested her interest to study and IWSA gave her information and support letter to access the Fee-Free Scholarship for

Victims of Domestic Violence funded by NSW Government through Smart and Skilled. She took up a course/certificate in Disabil-

ity.

Selina is now working in the community (Disability Sector).

*Not the real name


MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

Aurelia Gallardo Chairperson (from August 2017)

Vivi Germanos-

Koutsounadis Chairperson (until July 2017)

Tabitha D.

Ponnambalam Vice Chairperson

Lina Cabaero Treasurer

Safa Rahimi Secretary

Shirley Atkin Rural Representative

Bich Thuy Pham Member

Myra Hechanova Member

Rosalin Kuriype Member

STAFF:

Jane Brock Executive Officer

Mariam James Project Officer

Marichu Gloria Project Officer

Rukhshana Sarwar Project Officer

Mohan Packianathan Accountant

Emina Kovac Admin Officer

Summera Hafeez Sewing Class Teacher

Kawkab Jada Caretaker

IN GRATITUDE

Thank you to our members and partners in the community sector!

Volunteers

We thank our students in placement and volunteers for the priceless contribution to SpeakOut:

Nadine El-Hassan, Saffa Dandan, Anthony Montebello, Sarah Tarucan, Diana Montgomery, Ellie Arti

Noorzai, Ernel Joseph Dela Cruz, Gerard Mirana, Hanish Banga, Junyu Pang, Manuel Rosario, Nadera

Hakimi, Nadya Vahedi, Nedzad Trcic, Peter Geoffrey Brock, Rosalin Kuriype, Riri Karasawa, Sarah

Abdou, Shiela Bien, Sheila Osias, Shweta Gahlain, Stephanie Murray, Fatu Sillah, Stefani Scott, Ghada

Asal, Anjum Iqbal, Edwin Subijano and Zabibu Mbuto.

Staff

The Management Committee commends and says thank you to the Speakout staff members:

Jane Brock, Emina Kovac, Rukhshana Sarwar, Mariam James, Marichu Gloria, Summera Hafeez,

Mohan Packianathan and Kawkab Jada.

FACS

For assistance and support to IWSA, thank you to FACS staff: Senior Project Officer -Toby Dob-

son of the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS), Senior Project Officer - Zeljka Josipovic

(Community Builders), FACS Western Sydney District Senior Managers - Peter Prants and Cathy

Newman.

IWSA Management Committee and Staff 2016-2017


The 2016-2017 One Billion Rising calls for

Stop in Exploitation of Women!

CONTACT US:

Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association of NSW

PO Box 9031, HARRIS PARK NSW 2150

Ph: (02) 9635 8022 Fax: (02) 9635 8176

Email: [email protected]

www.speakout.org.au

nd Speaking out for 35 years and counting - speakout.org.au · Immigrant Women’s Speakout...

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