NOOR Survivor-Advocates

NOOR Family Violence Survivor-Advocates are culturally and linguistically diverse victim-survivors who influence policy, service provisions and media reporting with lived experience.

What is NOOR?

Migrant and refugee women who have survived family violence are powerful advocates for change and inform inTouch’s work at every level. By sharing their experiences, survivor-advocates influence sector and government reforms, the development of policy, media reporting and attitudes to family violence in the broader community.

‘Noor’ means ‘light’ in many languages around the world and is also a common first name used throughout South Asia. It reflects the multicultural nature of the group, while also highlighting their role shining a light on issues faced by victim-survivors, and as a beacon of hope for other women experiencing family violence.

NOOR also stands for ‘Narrating Our Own Resilience’, acknowledging that these women’s stories are powerful, and that they are strong, resilient and expert advocates contributing to the development of an appropriate and responsive system that reflects the experiences and needs of victim-survivors.

They represent the resilience, strength and determination of survivors who are dedicated to using their experiences to make the lives of others better and safer – lighting the path ahead.

The NOOR Family Violence Survivor Advocates group was created in 2018 as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence. Unlike other survivor-advocate groups, NOOR’s purpose is to platform the voices of migrant and refugee women who have experienced family violence and is the only group in Australia to do so.

Members are former inTouch clients who are post-crisis, from a variety of different cultural, linguistic and professional backgrounds and are on their own individual journeys to recovery. inTouch is proud to work with the group to facilitate a safe and supportive environment where every member feels confident in sharing her story.

NOOR’s Expertise 

Noor Survivor-Advocates engage on and have expertise on a broad range of issues relating to family violence and migration. Primarily, they-

  • Provide advice to the Victorian Government on how to ensure that the different and diverse experiences of family violence are reflected in legislation, policy and programs
  • Support and influence the narrative around family violence through commentary in the media, conferences, panels and public speaking engagements
  • Consider and advise how proposed family violence reform initiatives, projects or policies will impact those who require and use these services (specifically culturally and linguistically diverse communities)
  • Participate in consultations and meetings with external stakeholders to ensure the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence meet the expectations of victim-survivors and the community
  • Support the broader family violence and related sectors through consultation and co-design to increase the efficacy and suitability of support systems for victim-survivors.
  • Provide ongoing input into in the design of inTouch services, programs, policy advocacy and projects to ensure that our services are fit-for-purpose, actively incorporate the perspective of our clients and fit the values and direction outlined in inTouch’s Strategic Plan

NOOR have provided their expertise to a diverse range of organisations and family violence service providers. These include-

  • Department of Justice and Community Safety
  • DV Vic
  • Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
  • Commonwealth Government
  • La Trobe University
  • McAuley Community Services for Women
  • Monash University
  • The Salvation Army
  • Safe+Equal
  • Victoria Legal Aid
  • WIRE
  • inTouch Policy, Direct Services and inSpire programs
Woman weating hijab smiling and hugging her son

“I wanted to say thank you to the wonderful speaker we had on our lived experience panel. She spoke beautifully and articulately, and in general we have had excellent feedback on that conversation and the very vital points that were made.”  

NOOR Submissions and Consultations

NIFVSConsultation & Beyond: Engaging Survivor Advocates WebinarSep-21
Family Safety VictoriaMeet and Greet for More than our story: action, wisdom and change – Lived Experience Forum panel members – Learning by doingApril-22
Safe StepsCandlelight Vigil eventMay-22
Safe and EqualPreventX – What’s Next? ConferenceMay-22
inTouchSetting the Agenda: Multicultural Communities on Family ViolenceJune-22
inTouchRefuge WebinarJul-22

National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children

NOOR Family Violence Survivor
Advocates Group Submission

You take one step at a time, and soon you realise: you are stronger and more confident than you think.

NOOR Member

NOOR in the Media

To experience family violence, mitigate risk, and keep yourself and your children safe in a very dangerous place takes incredible strength and courage that only you possess. No matter where you are from — no culture, no religion, no community condones violence.

NOOR Member

How to Engage with NOOR

If you would like to speak to someone about consulting with NOOR, please contact noor@intouch.org.au

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