A group of six South Asian women has launched a groundbreaking grassroots initiative to tackle domestic and family violence within Sydney’s South Asian communities, establishing the Aunties Fund as the first permanent sub-fund of the Sydney Women’s Fund dedicated specifically to supporting survivors from their cultural background.
The volunteer collective, which calls itself the “Aunties Fund” to reclaim the powerful role of the South Asian “aunty” as mentor and ally, aims to raise $100,000 through community donations and mobilise thousands of community members to support survivors of domestic violence.
“It is unbearably prevalent,” said Auntie Indu Balachandran, one of the fund’s founders. “We were seeing regular posts on community Facebook pages from women in our communities suffering and seeking help and support, isolated, or new to the country, or unable to navigate the system. Our diaspora is the 3rd largest taxpaying in the country. We can do better – it is time for us as a community to step up and step in.”
The initiative comes in response to alarming statistics showing that one in three migrant women are subject to domestic and family violence. The Aunties Fund organisers emphasise that while culturally sensitive service providers exist to help survivors, these organisations remain grossly underfunded.
All funds raised will go directly to existing support services that provide shelter, safety, and support to women escaping domestic abuse. These organisations offer culturally responsive services that understand the unique cultural pressures, visa issues, and other barriers that many South Asian women face when seeking help.
“This isn’t charity from the outside. It’s change and support from within,” the fund’s organisers said in their announcement.
The initiative gained momentum following the group’s first fundraising event, “Chai and Change,” held on 6 September. The afternoon event brought together representatives from key organisations including the Indian Sub-Continent Crisis Support Agency, Harman Foundation, House of Sakinah, and Speak Out for a panel discussion addressing domestic abuse in South Asian communities.
The conversation highlighted both the barriers women face when seeking help and the funding challenges that grassroots organisations encounter while supporting survivors.
The Aunties Fund is encouraging community members to contribute $10 each to become part of the movement, though donations of any size are welcomed. The organisers stress that whether someone donates $10 or $100, every dollar counts towards supporting this community-driven initiative.
“We are proud Aunties who wish to step up for and with our community,” the group stated.
The fund represents a significant step forward in community-led responses to domestic violence, with the organisers emphasising that it’s “a movement by the community, for the community.”
Community members can support the Aunties Fund by visiting their donation page at aunties-fund.raiselysite.com or following their social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.
