Services

Brave Spaces provides support services for women through a dedicated hotline, social services, workshops and events.

Brave Helpline: We are here for you

The Brave Helpline is a social service helpline that is affirming, empathetic, resourceful, and attentive to the anxieties and hopes of LBTQI women in Singapore.

We are here to listen to and support you to the best of our abilities.

From 1 July 2020, the Brave helpline will be text-based. Reach us via WhatsApp message at +65 8788 8817 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6–9pm.

Need for an LBTQI Helpline in Singapore

We recognise that LBTQI women are a marginalised group that is at a higher risk of sexual harassment, bullying, depression, discrimination and violence, due to their intersectional identities. These intersecting forms of discrimination are frequently absent in public discourse and may go unacknowledged in the wider women’s movement and even in the LGBT community.

Because of the uniqueness of LBTQI women with their specific aspirations and concerns, civic and civil organisations, including social service and mental health service providers in Singapore, are currently not able to adequately cater for these diverse needs. We aim to bridge these gaps by spearheading collaborative programmes with other groups and organisations to support this vulnerable group.

The Brave telephone helpline is provided in collaboration with AWARE Singapore.

Confidential, Supportive, Affirming

Staffed by well-trained women professionals and volunteers, the Brave Helpline offers confidential information and support to women who identify as LBTQI.

The helpline aims to empower women in crisis to identify what is happening to them and assist them in developing viable solutions.

The helpline aims to at all times be affirming and helpful to callers.

The helpline also acts as a referral to available resources, legal aid and relevant agencies, both statutory and voluntary.

Contacting us for the first time

We understand how daunting it can be to tell someone about what is happening to you. You might find it difficult to speak up and talk about the challenges or crises you are currently facing. Other women have shared with us that they were too afraid and ashamed to speak to anyone, including family and friends.

We are ready to reach out, give you time to speak, and will understand if you cannot speak today. Sometimes one conversation is enough, but at other times more than one may be needed for support to be meaningfully felt.

The confidential and anonymous nature of the Brave Helpline provides a safe, non-judgemental space for you to talk about your experiences.

Who can contact the Brave Helpline?

Women in Singapore who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex (LBTQI) and are facing distress or crisis can contact the Helpline. We also extend support to transmen, transwomen, and persons who identify as trans*.

Friends and family members seeking to understand and support LBTQI women are welcome to call us.

What is the Brave Helpline?

The Brave Helpline (+65 8788 8817) is a support helpline for women in Singapore who identify as LBTQI and are facing distress or crisis.

What are the helpline's operating hours?

Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 6.00pm, excluding Public Holidays.

What kind of support is provided?

The Brave Helpline is a safe, affirming and non-judgemental space for you. Your safety and well-being is of our utmost concern.

Our Brave Helpliners will listen to you, believe you and support you. We believe you will be the best judge of your safety, and will talk through your options with you.

Where appropriate, we will refer you to a local domestic violence support service or women’s refuge. We can also provide you with a range of information on finance, legal, and available social welfare services.

Here are some of the issues we can provide support on:

Process of understanding self in the face of discrimination or violence
Existential issues
Relationship matters
Uniqueness of different life stages
Someone to help you reflect on your thoughts in general areas of life
Resource giving, advice on state and civic resources
Parents seeking to understand a LBTQI child
Adult seeking to understand LBTQI parent
LBTQI adult seeking to build loving relationships with parent and grandparents
Currently facing a crisis
Needing a befriender
Support and assistance with making a police report or attending to an emergency matter

How often can I call?

Sometimes one call is enough, but at other times more than one call may be needed for support to be meaningfully felt.

What if I cannot get through / the call is unanswered?

If you cannot get through to us, it may be because our Helpliners are currently taking calls from other women. We strongly encourage you to try calling again.

Is the helpline free of charge?

Yes, the Brave Helpline does not charge you for your call. However, you may be charged by your telecommunications service provider.

Who are the Brave Helpliners?

The Brave Helpliners are a diverse team of well-trained, empathetic and caring professionals and volunteers. The helpline is staffed by women.

Do you accept Whatsapp calls?

We do not take WhatsApp or over-the-top (OTT) calls at this point in time.

Do you return calls?

We may return calls if you provide your name and number in our voicemail.

Our Brave Helpliners may also call you back at a later time if we require more time to gather the necessary information to support you.

What languages do the Brave Helpliners speak?

The Brave Helpliners are a diverse team of individuals who can speak English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil.

All conversations will primarily be in English and you may request for a helpliner who speaks another language. If the specific helpliner is not available at the moment, we will arrange for you to call back at another time.

Do you provide email counselling?

We accept feedback and enquiries related to our Brave Helpline via email at bravespacesg@gmail.com. We will respond in 3-7 days.

We may advise on options and resources via email, and where appropriate, may refer you to relevant hotlines, face-to-face counselling, care centres, etc.

For women urgently seeking support and assistance, we strongly encourage you to call us instead. Our trained helpliners will listen to you and support you.

When was the helpline launched?

2 May 2018.

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