Services

BRISSC provides individual and group support to women 15 years and over who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. We use a feminist perspective when supporting women who have experienced violence. This comes from an understanding that violence against women is gendered, being perpetrated mostly by men against women and children.

We also provide information and support to the people who support survivors of sexual violence and education to the wider community. We engage in social action for the prevention of sexual violence.

Our service is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and we operated a telephone support line between 9am to 1pm on these days. Our telephone support number is
3391 2573

Individual Support
Support Groups
Community Education
Library and Internet Facilities

See Support Groups and Community Education for activities happening in SEXUAL VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

Individual Support

Women who have experienced sexual violence may access individual face to face and telephone support from an experienced sexual assault support worker (counsellor). We utilise a feminist philosophy of support that values women's experiences, women's truths, women's lives, and women's skills.

We also provide advocacy for women in a range of circumstances (e.g. giving statements to the police, negotiating legal and medical systems or dealing with mental health services).

Limited face to face support for people who are supporting a survivor of sexual violence is also available.

Telephone support, information and referral is available for callers to our support telephone line between 9am and 1pm Monday to Thursday.

Support Groups

We run regular support groups for women survivors of sexual violence. Fixed term groups follow a specific group program over a defined period of time (usually 8 – 10 weeks) and are closed (same group of women throughout the group). Workshop or ‘drop in’ group programs are usually held fortnightly and are open (women can join at anytime). These groups may have specific topics or activities (e.g. ‘Surviving the Legal System’ or Art workshops).

Child minding is available for women participating in BRISSC support groups.

Yarnin Up Workshops for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women are being held regularly at BRISSC till the end of the year. The next workshop will be held on 13th of October. Please contact Karin for more information.

Art for Activism Art Group Commencing on the 27th September and continuing to the end of October. Every Tuesday in the lead up to Reclaim the Night on 28th October there will be an art workshop at BRISSC. The aim of the workshops is to create banners, badges, lanterns and perhaps even a float to be part of the Reclaim the Night March. Details of the workshops can be found here or contact us for more information.

As part of the Art for Activism program we are also holding a one day stencil workshop on Saturday 15th October. See flyer or contact us for more information.

Community Education

Introduction to feminist support work with women who have experienced sexual, family and domestic violence BRISSC is holding a 3 day feminist support workshop in collaboration with Women's House Shelta domestic violence service. The workshop provides an outline of feminist practice, including a gender analysis of the causes of sexual, family and domestic violence and refining and practicing the skills involved in feminist support work. Workshop knowledge will be applied to how to work with women who have experienced sexual, family and domestic violence. This workshop is aimed at women and workers who are interested in building their skills in support, working from a feminist framework and working with women who have experienced gender based violence.

Download the workshop flyer and registration or contact us for more information.

BRISSC conducts a range of community education activities which include:

• Information stalls at public events
• Workshops
• Workplace training
• Community development
• Public forums

If you would like BRISSC to provide a talk, workshop, training or information stall for your organisation/school please contact us.

Library and Internet Facility

The space at Women’s House, where BRISSC is located, has a women’s community library and internet facility available for use by women accessing services and from the wider community.

The library specialises in resources addressing violence against women and feminism.

We also have a number of internet connected computers available for women to use, free of charge.