10 Minutes With

10 MINUTES WITH... CORINNA LIM

AWARE’s Women’s Helpline is integral for providing support to women in need in Singapore. We speak to Executive Director, Corinna Lim, about their current mission to raise funds for its essential development.

When was the first women’s helpline at AWARE (Association of Women for Action and Research) launched?

Before its current location at Dover Crescent, AWARE occupied the upper floors of a Little India shophouse. We launched Singapore’s first women’s helpline there on January 7, 1991. It was born out of a need to create a safe space for women who were in distress and needed a listening ear and nonjudgmental advice.

How fast did the helpline gain traction?

Very quickly. People often find it difficult to speak to friends or family members about personal troubles; there’s a fear that the listener might not be empathetic or might pass judgmental comments which can lead to feelings of isolation. Women immediately called about marital conflict, family violence and other things.

How does the Women’s Helpline work?

We only run one Women’s Helpline and offer a call-back request option and online live chat. Live chats are conducted via Zoom with the video and audio both off. We also have the Sexual Assault Care Centre (6779 0282), and the Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Advisory (6777 0318).

Does one subject reoccur?

More than one-third of callers in 2021 reached out due to emotional and psychological distress. We saw a rise in family violence cases due to pandemic lockdowns, where survivors often had to be in close proximity to their abusers.

Along with a listening ear, how else does the helpline provide proactive support?

Our helpliners can provide referrals to AWARE’s internal services and external agencies. Depending on the caller’s circumstances, we can refer them to emergency shelters, family service centres, family violence specialist centres and the Family Justice Court. We introduced counselling services in June 1991 and we also run a free legal clinic; our team of volunteer lawyers are available for a 30-minute appointment via the helpline.

Your current Helpline Fund aims to raise $250,000 by the end of 2022. Where will this money go?

People often underestimate how much it takes to run a well-oiled, effective helpline. On the operational side, running the service requires a sizeable technological investment, as well as intensive training for our volunteers. We need as much support from the public as possible to ensure that we can keep up with growing need and remain the premiere service for women in Singapore.

What’s the priority for AWARE’s Women’s Helpline in 2023?

Providing timely support. Our goal is for the Women’s Helpline to never miss a call, and to be accessible to as many women in distress as possible.

How can ANZA readers volunteer on the Women’s Helpline?

All our helpline volunteers are trained by AWARE staff. Recruitment takes place every one or two years, and eligible volunteers undergo intensive training that consists of three phases. Do keep a lookout for the new recruitment cycle next year via our social media platforms or subscribe to AWARE’s monthly newsletter.

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) is Singapore’s leading women’s rights and gender equality advocacy group. aware.org.sg

Singapore's Australian Specialist reveals 10 most common questions asked by Australian Expatriates

Being an Australian Expatriate living in Singapore has its pros and cons. Though most of us love the exciting expat life and pay lower income tax rates than some of our colleagues back home we are still faced with incredibly complex financial decisions that may make or break our time whilst working offshore. Below I have listed 10 of the most common questions asked by Australian Expatriates in Singapore:

1. How do I maximize the returns on my Australian investment properties?

Should my mortgages be negative, neutral, or positively geared?

2. What is the most efficient savings and investment strategy? Should I be sending money home or saving and investing into an offshore tax efficient structure?

3. Should I buy an investment property in Australia and if I do so then what are the implications as a foreign investor? Is it worth it?

4. Should I take out Life insurance in Singapore or Australia? Which product will best suit my circumstances?

5. Should I continue to contribute to Superannuation and if I do so then what are the tax implications?

6. Why are guardian agreements crucial to the safety of my children whilst residing in Singapore?

7. Do I need two Wills? One for Singapore and the other for Australia?

8. What is the most cost-effective way to exchange currencies and to send money home?

9. Should I sell or retain my vested company shares and if I choose to retain my shares then what are the risks involved?

10. What's in the future for Australian Dollar?

Book a complimentary financial review with Sean Abreu, Specialist for Australian Expatriates by calling +65 8502 7848 or mailing

seanabreu@ippfa.com

For more information please visit

www.expatfinancial.com.sg

Services:

Retirement Planning Savings & Investments Pension Transfers Children's Education Planning International and MultiCurrency Mortgages Legacy Planning, Trusts & Wills Tax Efficiency Life and Health Insurance

These are just some of the complex questions we face as Australian Expatriates and in order to maximize our financial position whilst residing offshore it is crucial that we understand the implications of each decision.

Meet Leading Specialist for Australian Expatriates Sean Abreu

After receiving his Bachelors Degree of Commerce (Majoring in Economics and Financial Planning) Sean spent several years collaborating with Australia's biggest banks (Commonwealth Bank of Australia and ANZ). With over 15 years of Financial Planning and Wealth Management experience, Sean is an integral member of the IPP Expatriate Advisory team. Sean holds his Advanced Diploma of Financial Services in Australia, and is known for his dedication to increasing the standards of Financial Planning services for Expatriates in Singapore.