Helping women through crisis

We’re living through a cost of living crisis and a growing housing crisis and in these uncertain times, support is more important than ever. While many people are feeling the strain, women are disproportionately impacted, often with fewer resources and less access to critical support.

Support that meets women where they are

This is where 4 Voices comes in, a non-profit organisation that seeks to connect women in crisis with the support they need – without judgement. Supporting women from all walks of life facing crisis – whether it’s homelessness, violence, isolation, or financial hardship.

Through mobile outreach vans, a national phone support line, and community programs, they are able to help women access essentials like emergency housing, legal advice, hygiene products, and digital resources.

4 Voices isn’t just like any other non-profit. Their multiple operation bases, and overall commitment to women – no matter the situation – doesn’t just make them another organisation, but a genuine community offering real connections.

Their most recent effort to support women was during Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Their team on the ground and on the phones were providing emergency relief and emotional support to women in SEQ already living through extreme hardship. This included helping women complete disaster recovery payment applications.

A mission grounded in lived experience

I had the privilege to speak with the founder and CEO of 4 Voices, Jo Westh. Westh has extensive experience working in the homelessness sector and supporting disadvantaged groups of people. Her motivation to start 4 Voices began after working in the homelessness sector.

“Witnessing how bad homelessness is currently. There are ⅔ of homeless women fleeing domestic violence. Seeing women you would take your chances on the street rather than going home. I felt I had to do something about it.”

“I saw the services offered attracted mostly men, and I was thinking where do women go to get services? They stay invisible because they’re scared of making the abusive partner more aggressive, interrogated, viewed suspiciously or perhaps re-traumatised.”

As part of the 2025 International Month of Domestic Violence Awareness in May, 4 Voices ran"Get Gorgeous” day to pamper women, many of whom rarely have access to such luxuries. This gave women who are at a disadvantage a chance to enjoy activities like manicures, haircuts, massages, and more.

Spreading kindness and connection across Australia

4 Voices has a current operation to help 838 women escape domestic violence, supporting 1,166 people experiencing homelessness, and reaching nearly 4,000 individuals struggling with isolation.

With operations based in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, inner Sydney and Western Sydney, and a national phone support line, they are extending their reach across Australia.

“I would like to go national and expand nationally. I’d like to secure funding to do that, secure volunteers to help expand nationally.

I would like to see changes made through lowering the bar to get help. To get a crisis payment from Centrelink or unassisted help from police, you need to go through hell and I think we should make it easier for those victims.

The women are in such drastic situations that I would love to tell the Australian population how bad it could be out there and for outrage to save women's lives – and not enough is happening.”