Sakhi for South Asian Survivors

Sakhi for South Asian Survivors is an anti-violence and social justice organization dedicated to eradicating violence against women and gender non-conforming individuals. Founded in 1989 by a collective of South Asian feminists in New York City, the organization provides culturally responsive, linguistically concordant trauma-informed services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, and forced marriage.

The agency operates a confidential multilingual helpline providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and emotional support in South Asian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Tamil. Its legal and court advocacy team accompanies survivors through family court proceedings, order of protection hearings, and immigration remedies such as U-Visas and VAWA self-petitions. Dedicated case managers also assist survivors with emergency transitional housing placement, food access, and healthcare navigation.

Long-term healing and self-sufficiency are fostered through the Economic Empowerment and Mental Health programs. Survivors participate in financial literacy workshops, job readiness coaching, computer training, and micro-grant assistance to achieve financial independence. Licensed clinicians deliver individual psychotherapy, trauma support groups, and creative arts healing sessions. In addition, the Youth Program engages young community members in healthy relationships workshops and violence prevention education. Survivors can access confidential help by calling or texting the helpline. Community members can get involved by volunteering, training as advocates, or donating to emergency survivor funds.