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About Supporting U

Female leaders from within culturally and linguistically diverse communities represent a powerful tool for change. SSI’s Supporting U program is designed to leverage the strengths of women leaders within Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.

Under the program, female leaders are trained to act as social responders to drive change and address issues of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV). Sharing their experiences with other leaders, they are trained people of influence who listen to victim-survivors, prioritise their safety and refer them to appropriate services.

How we help

We identify female leaders within CALD communities and provide in-depth accredited training to ensure leaders are equipped with the right knowledge and skills to support vulnerable women in their community.
Spreading their knowledge in their communities, the leaders act as social responders to DFV instances; listening to victim-survivors and referring them to appropriate services.
The leaders are provided ongoing support through Learning Circles where they share their experiences with fellow leaders and staff.
Infographic: 80% of women disclose their experiences of DFV to family members, friends or community leaders. The Supporting U program engages trusted women leaders, provides the women leaders with domestic family violence training and facilitates learning circles, so that the women leaders can become social responders in their communities.

“I’d like to support the elders and priests within my community to gain information and contacts to use in assisting the families who are suffering from domestic and family violence” – Supporting U leader

In My Voice

The Supporting U Project has been successful and far-reaching – creating a network of connected and empowered social responders who will support their communities into the future. To ensure the valuable insights and stories of Supporting U leaders were captured and shared, a series of vignettes were created, called In My Voice.

This project was funded under the COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence Grant by Women NSW.

Get in touch

If you would like more information about this project please contact Juliana Nkrumah AM, Project Manager — Domestic & Family Violence: 

Address: 2/158 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131 

P: 0488 680 268 

E: jnkrumah@ssi.org.au