Women's Space

JRS Australia's award-winning Finding Safety project offers safety and leadership opportunities for women at risk of gender-based violence.

Finding Safety at the JRS Women’s Space 

JRS’ Finding Safety Project is an innovative project supporting women on temporary visas. This includes women seeking asylum who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence (S/GBV) or are at risk of it. Finding Safety uses participatory leadership approaches for preventative, early intervention, and responsive outcomes. The project is hosted at the JRS Women’s Space in Parramatta.

In 2019, JRS served over 300 women and girls at the Women’s Space, a safe space exclusively for women on temporary visas. The space is designed to enhance social networks, leadership skills give psycho-social support, facilitate self-empowerment as well as provide safe, person-centred and non-stigmatising S/GBV ‘wrap around’ services. Women also receive information and referrals on issues relating to women’s rights, health, and services.

The project’s work is guided by an all-woman Advisory Group comprised of civil society stakeholders, diaspora community representatives and leaders with lived experience. Information about specific programs offered at the Women’s Space is featured below. 

Our programs

Social Activities Community leader, Sajeeda joins Director, Carolina, at an International Women's Day event.
Social Activities
Leadership Training Established leaders such as Hava train newer leaders in a whole range of skills.
Leadership Training
Self Empowerment Women support each other to access the information they need to stay safe.
Self Empowerment
During the pandemic The Women's Space has remained dedicated to serving women needing protection. Click here for a summary.
During the pandemic
Capacity building Our work bridges gaps between the refugee and DV/FV sectors to ensure that women on temporary visas are effectively supported.
Displaced women in Cameroon
Capacity building
Free legal support JRS and RACS partner to provide free drop-in legal clinics for women at-risk to receive professional legal advice.
A teacher supports refugee students in Athens, Greece
Free legal support
Education Educational Workshops are organised through the Women’s Space in order to support women to empower themselves with information on their rights in Australia.
Education
Specialist Casework The SGBV casework team provides specialist support and emergency assistance
Specialist Casework

Need help?

During COVID-19, the JRS Women’s Space remains dedicated to serving women on temporary visas, including women seeking asylum across Sydney. For information on getting help, please click here.

Top image: Shatha, from our JRS Women’s Team, supporting a client. Image courtesy of Flashpoint Labs.