Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS)

Contact Details

Service Area

Summary of Service

The Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS) is a specialist domestic violence and sexual assault service that provides direct support to women and their children from non-English speaking background who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence.

We provide support services either face to face or over the telephone.  A Caseworker will discuss your options with you and can arrange a time to talk with you.

Programs and Initiatives

Crisis Support 

If you are in a situation of crisis and need immediate assistance, we are available from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Crisis support may include:

• Assistance to escape from a situation of domestic violence
• Support in relation to a recent sexual assault or an event that may trigger memories of a past sexual assault
• Help to access supported/crisis accommodation or other housing options
• Urgent legal advice for immigration, family law, criminal matters and domestic violence orders

Ongoing Support through case management

• If you need support to negotiate the different support systems we can provide you with ongoing support as required.  Ongoing support may include:
  • Support to report sexual assault
  • Assistance to access the court system for domestic violence orders, family law, criminal matters such as rape and assault; accessing legal advice for immigration and other matters
  • Support to access health services, housing, financial assistance

Counselling/Advocacy

• Counselling is available to assist you to assess your needs, setting goals, consider your options, discuss your safety and other concerns, talk about your feelings, access other services that you may require, and plan for the future.

If you have a child or children

• We can discuss with you the impact of domestic violence on children, how to keep you and your children safe, and facilitate access to services available to children.
• If you have a child who has been sexually abused, we can help you to report the abuse, and to access support services for your child.

Community Education

• We offer community education sessions to groups interested in finding out about domestic violence and sexual violence, services provided by IWSS and other topics as negotiated.

Specialist knowledge support for service providers

• Given our experience in providing support services to immigrant and refugee women and children who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual violence, we are well positioned to provide specialist knowledge to service providers including:
  • Information on multicultural resources and services
  • Resources and information in community languages

Service development on working with interpreters, making services culturally appropriate and responsive to diverse community groups.

Emergency Relief

We have limited funds to provide emergency relief to people in financial distress.

Accessibility

Safe Space/Waiting Area