More than two decades years ago, Saheli recognized that domestic violence adversely affected many immigrant families. Saheli’s aim was to become a beacon of hope for women and children affected by this public health crisis. Today Saheli is a non-profit that offers many cultural and language-specific services to South Asian and Arab domestic violence survivors and their children. South Asian and Arab women with diverse religious, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and varying English language proficiency often find it difficult to find vital culturally sensitive services. Saheli is well aware of barriers for women who want to reach out for help like unique cultural factors, acculturation stress, a limited support structure in the US, and limited English language proficiency.
Saheli is here to offer non-judgemental culturally sensitive domestic and sexual violence services that are vital to the wellbeing of immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence while keeping in mind their unique cultural beliefs and upbringing.
Saheli’s domestic and sexual violence intervention, prevention and empowerment services include:
- A multilingual helpline for domestic and sexual violence survivors
- Support groups for survivors in Burlington, Shrewsbury and Quincy
- Economic empowerment program
- Financial literacy workshops and free tax clinics
- Legal advocacy program
Saheli’s services are offered in Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Arabic.
Our History
Saheli was founded in 1996 in collaboration with the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB). The organization was created by South Asian immigrant women who were passionate about helping domestic violence survivors to rebuild their lives. In its 24 year history, Saheli has helped thousands of women to reclaim their lives, protect their families, and secure a brighter future.
Saheli is guided by a diverse Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee of distinguished community leaders of many races and ethnicities.
Vision
Saheli’s vision is to create a socially just and violence-free environment for South Asian and Arab immigrant women and families. Saheli envisions an environment for immigrant families that is free of gender-based violence; one that gives each and everyone, regardless of gender and/or sexuality, a powerful voice; one that questions and subverts long-held patriarchal beliefs; and one that paves way for children of immigrants and immigrant youth to live safe and healthy lives.
Mission
Saheli’s mission is to empower South Asian and Arab women and families to lead safe and healthy lives by:
- Empowering them to become financially independent
- Increasing awareness about legal rights for immigrant women and families
- Educating families about physical, emotional, financial and immigration abuse
- Increasing awareness about healthy relationships among families, youth, and children
View this video to know more about how Saheli helps South Asian and Arab survivors of domestic violence.
When you contact Saheli yourself, through a friend, Police Department, or e-mail know that: Saheli will create a safe, non-judgmental environment with a range of culturally sensitive, language-specific information and support services. Saheli will listen and educate you about your options. Our goal is to help empower survivors to reach a point where they can be self-sufficient, healthy and free from violence.
Click here to learn about the services we provide to our clients.