ABOUT SAWERAA

 

Mission

SAWERAA's mission is to serve women of South Asian descent who are victims of domestic violence through support, education and empowerment.

 

History

SAWERAA is a volunteer-based organization founded in St. Louis in 2003. The word "SAWERAA" means a new beginning.

Victims of domestic violence within St. Louis South Asian community rarely seek and use the services of organizations devoted to dealing with domestic abuse. The victims are unaware of or are reluctant to use services due to concern about communication problems, cultural misunderstanding or uncertainity of their rights.

It was clear that there was a need for an organization with a complete understanding of the unique cultural circumstances of these victims in order to truly connect with them. In addition, there is a need to educate existing domestic abuse victim support organizations of this specific condition.

Therefore, SAWERAA was founded by seven activists to fill the gap by providing culturally sensitive support and services to victims, community education to mitigate abuse and to offer culturally sensitive training to social and human service providers.

SAWERAA believes violence against women is a serious crime as well as a human rights and health issue.

 

No One Deserves to be Abused. Hope for a New Beginning.