Speak Sister | बोलो बहन | बोल दिदी-बहिनी |বোন বলুন |चेवा निछा | બહેન બોલો | पोनो बैनी | मेदोङ न्होमो| ಸೋದರಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ |बैनी ङाक्नि | बोलु बहिन | പറയുക സഹോദരി |बहिण बोला | नवा तताक्यँ | ਭੈਣ ਬੋਲੋ |आइ-ताङ नुम टम्ङ्या लोप| ڀيڻ ڳالهايو | කතා බස් කරන්න| சகோதரி பேசுங்கள் | సోదరి మాట్లాడండి | कइ तेगो पिच्याङ | بہن بولو

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We are here. Our door is always open.

Bolo Behen (Speak Sister) is an initiative of HUDSON SPEAKS Against Sexual Violence offering free services for South Asian women in Hudson County who are experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Our mission is to create a safe space with a full range of culturally sensitive and language-specific information, support services and advocacy.

 

We strive to create dialogue throughout Hudson County by reaching out to a wide variety of groups, organizations and individuals. By sharing and learning from one another, we believe.

Learn more below.

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The Red Saree Annual Event

 

Hudson Speaks' signature program Bolo Behen (Speak Sister) hosts its Annual “Red Saree Event" in Jersey City, New Jersey. The event was organized was started in 2017 to educate the community on violence in South Asian community and provide services to them. The color red symbolizes energy, courage, determination, passion & action. Women from South Asian countries such as Nepal, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had participated in the event. It is a day of recognizing womanhood and empowerment.

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Community Chai

Starting a community dialogue on issues of violence

 

​There is a growing South Asian community in Hudson County. Within it, many women face enormous challenges, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, legal and immigration issues, language barriers, job and health related concerns. Community Chai is the platform where women can come and express their problems and concerns fearlessly, openly and comfortably. People listen to each other’s story and offer support.

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Personal Services: Case Management

A holistic approach to a woman’s needs

 

-Crisis intervention
-Safety assessment and planning

-Advocacy

-Assistance with housing and shelter

-Legal advocacy and referral to resources

-Access to public benefits and financial literacy

-Counseling and emotional support for survivors.​​

-Medical/healthcare advocacy

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South Asian women face distinct cultural challenges when confronting domestic and sexual violence in the home. Most have little or no knowledge of English, since it is not their native language. This plays a pivotal role in creating socio-cultural barriers. South Asian women who become victims of domestic and sexual violence live within the confines of these barriers. They remain silent or unaware of the assistance they could have from the outside world.

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We provide case management services to empower clients. Women learn about their rights, available resources and how to use these resources to make positive decisions and be independent for themselves and their children.

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Our services are based on a holistic approach that addresses the large range of clients’ needs. Using culturally and linguistically appropriate methods, we build trust with clients and create an environment where South Asian women feel safe, respected and understood.

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Free and confidential services include:

 

Outreach

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Faith-based and community leaders are invited to work together with us to create awareness and support for the services that Bolo Behen provides. It’s a chance for leaders to:

-Gain knowledge for recognizing abuse

-Build skills for responding effectively and safely

-Know where to refer people for help, such as to Bolo Behen

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Faith-based Institutions

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As sanctuaries of trust and safety, faith communities can greatly impact the health of their members and the broader community. It’s why we strive to help identify and eliminate barriers that prevent faith-based organizations from speaking out against domestic and sexual violence.

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Bolo Behen works with different faith-based leaders throughout Hudson County. From Jersey City to Secaucus and Weehawken, we have collaborated with leaders of temples, mosques, Islamic centers, Gurudwaras and beyond. We welcome the chance to speak with you.

Community and Educational Organizations

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Bolo Behen actively seeks to new partnerships and allies within the Hudson County community. This helps us build a good referral system and resources for our clients. And it helps advance the mission of a violence-free society—and healthier New Jersey for all who live here.

 

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Let's Work Together

 

Bolo Behen (Speak Sister) is an initiative of Hudson SPEAKS offering free services for South Asian women in Hudson County who are experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Our mission is to create a safe space with a full range of culturally sensitive and language-specific information, support services and advocacy.

​

We strive to create dialogue throughout Hudson County by reaching out to a wide variety of groups, organizations and individuals. By sharing and learning from one another, we believe.

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Please contact us about:

-Together, we can make a difference.

-Educating the community about domestic and sexual violence.

The bilingual and culturally competent services Bolo Behen provides:

-Cultural sensitivity trainings

-Teen dating violence workshop for South Asian youth.

 

24-hour bi-lingual Helpline:
201-795-5757

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Free and confidential services offered in Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, English, Gujarati and Urdu
 

Bolo Behen (Speak Sister)

179 Palisade Ave, Jersey City across from CarePoint Health Christ Hospital

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Visit our stand-alone website for Bolo Behen (Speak Sister) project:

www.BoloBehen.com