Indian Australians in Western Sydney are being encouraged to seek support early through a community awareness campaign linking Harman Foundation’s multicultural helpline with the national domestic, family and sexual violence service, 1800RESPECT.
The HF HOPE Line Community Awareness Campaign was launched at Busways’ Glendenning depot in late October. Indian Link reported on 10 November that the initiative uses buses, shopping centre screens and multilingual information to reach people who may not know where to turn.
For Indian community members navigating unfamiliar services, language barriers or concerns about a visa, the practical message is important: help is available, and you do not need to work out every next step alone.
What the Western Sydney campaign is doing
According to Indian Link’s report, two buses will carry campaign messages across Riverstone, Schofields, The Ponds and Stanhope Gardens for 43 weeks. Support information will also appear on 12 shopping centre digital screens, alongside community engagement and online material.
Flyers have been produced in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil. These are campaign information resources; they should not be confused with a guarantee that every counselling channel operates in each language.
Harman Foundation co-founder and chief executive Harinder Kaur told Indian Link that fear, stigma, language barriers and difficulty finding services can discourage people from asking for assistance. The campaign aims to make support more visible before difficulties escalate.
This is an awareness initiative connecting people with existing services, rather than the creation of a new emergency response service.
Two support services, with different roles
Harman Foundation’s multicultural helpline
Harman Foundation says its helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering free, confidential and non-judgemental support. Its trained team works with culturally and linguistically diverse callers, particularly South Asian communities.
The organisation describes assistance with domestic and family violence, emotional support, safe accommodation and referrals. Each situation is assessed individually. That means contacting the service is a way to discuss needs, not a promise that a particular accommodation place or other outcome is immediately available.
The service supports women and also assists men experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence. Call 1800 116 675.
1800RESPECT’s national service
1800RESPECT provides free, confidential information, counselling and support for people affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Call: 1800 737 732.
- Text: 0458 737 732.
- Online: chat and video call options are available through the 1800RESPECT website.
You can contact the service to talk through concerns and possible support options. You do not need to decide on a legal or housing solution before making that first contact.
Need help in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil or another language?
For Indian Australians who would prefer to speak in a language other than English, 1800RESPECT’s accessibility guidance explains how to arrange an interpreter at no charge:
- Call 1800 737 732 and ask the counsellor for an interpreter.
- Alternatively, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask to be connected to 1800RESPECT.
The service currently states that its SMS and online chat channels are available only in English. If language is a barrier, ask about interpreted phone support rather than assuming a text conversation can be translated.
If someone threatens your visa
Visa concerns can make an already difficult situation more frightening. Home Affairs states that a person using domestic or family violence cannot cancel your visa: only the minister or a delegated officer has that power.
The department offers a specialist Domestic and Family Violence Support team for temporary visa holders through an online contact form. It also encourages independent immigration assistance.
Family violence provisions may be available depending on the visa and circumstances, but they are not an automatic pathway for every visa holder. Seek individual advice rather than relying on a partner’s threats or a general social media claim.
Choose a safe way to make contact
If someone monitors your phone or accounts, consider using a safer device they cannot access. 1800RESPECT’s technology safety guidance warns that digital activity can leave a trail and that changing device settings may create risks in some situations.
Its website’s quick-exit button does not delete browsing history. Ask a support worker about safety planning suited to your circumstances, rather than assuming private browsing or deleting a message removes every trace.
Support contacts to keep handy
- Immediate danger: call 000.
- Harman Foundation: 1800 116 675, available 24/7.
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732, available 24/7.
- Interpreter access: 131 450, asking for 1800RESPECT.
For the Indian community in Australia, the campaign offers a useful reminder: culturally responsive help and national specialist support can work together. If it is safe to do so, take the first step by contacting a service and discussing what you need.