Zig Zag is a housing and sexual violence support service for young women and gender diverse young people aged 12-25 in the wider Brisbane region including counselling, information, case management, advocacy, brief intervention and group work.

At Zig Zag we strive to centre the voices and experiences of young people in our community. This means we are committed to organisational critical self-reflection and enacting the changes necessary to best serve those experiencing increasing marginalisation in our society.

Over the past few years, this has included a strong and concerted effort to extend our services to better respond to the needs of trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people across all programs in our organisation.

Zig Zag provides a place of healing, support, social action and change. Guided by intersectional feminist principles and relational practice approaches, we are committed to working alongside young people firmly holding the belief that they are the experts in their own lives. We acknowledge the social, political, cultural and economic structures that directly impact young people’s agency and power, creating vulnerability and disadvantage.

Zig Zag recognises the diversity among young women, trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people, and we work in a way that promotes safety, and is collaborative, inclusive, affirming, supportive and respectful. Zig Zag is committed to ethical practice and a process of continuous reflection and development informed by young people, practice wisdom and shared knowledge.

Our Values

Young people's voices

We recognise young women and gender diverse young people knowledge, experiences and abilities/capacities. We seek to work in ways that maximise young people’s control and self-determination in all areas of their lives.

Relationships are essential

We recognise the importance of building respectful relationships with young women and gender diverse young people based on open communication, confidentiality, transparency, non-judgment, compassion and understanding.

Diversity

We value the difference owned and experienced by all people from all cultures, religions, sexualities, classes, ages, abilities and ethnicities. We will:

  • value and honour difference;
  • use an intersectional analysis to understand how gender, race, class, culture and other factors intersect; and
  • challenge dominant social and political systems that maintain positions of privilege and power whilst disadvantaging some groups.

Collaboration

We use decision making processes that encourage input from all involved to reach agreement before action is taken.

Process

We believe that how we do things is as important as the outcomes achieved. We are committed to working alongside young people in ways that are respectful, shared and inclusive, with the goal of reaching a desired outcome.

Creativity

We are innovative in all aspects and levels of work within Zig Zag.

Challenges

We acknowledge the social, political, cultural and economic contexts that limit young women and gender diverse young people’s power, creating vulnerability and disadvantage. We will work alongside young people to advocate for social change and to develop community responses to end homelessness and all forms of violence.

Our life journey is not linear

it runs a zigzag course

How it all began

Zig Zag was established in 1988 to respond to the specific identified needs of young women aged 12 – 25 years, including sexual violence, accommodation, and the provision of a safe and confidential place for young women to obtain information, resources, and support. Zig Zag is an incorporated, community managed organisation that currently receive state and federal funding to provide three specialist sexual assault support and prevention programs in the Wider Brisbane, Brisbane North, and Brisbane Southwest regions; and a specialist homelessness program in the Wider Brisbane region.

Established as a community based organisation based on principles of feminism and community development, the office was located in Fortitude Valley before relocating to Camp Hill in 1991, where Zig Zag is still currently situated. Funding was initially allocated for two full-time positions in the role of Young Women’s Community Resource Workers. By 1989 funding was received for three roles these were a part time Housing Worker, Incest/Sexual Abuse Support Worker and a Health Worker.

In consultation with key LGBTQA+ advocates, organisations, and community members, Zig Zag has extended our service to respond to the needs of support transgender, non-binary and gender diverse inclusion across all Programs in the organisation. We proudly support and stand in solidarity with Trans and Gender Diverse communities.

Zig Zag services welcome all young women, non-binary and gender diverse young people aged 12 – 25 years.

Explore our services

sexual assault support

Sexual Assault
Support Services

Seeing a Zig Zag counsellor could make all the difference.

housing support

Housing
Support Services

We assist young young women and gender diverse young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

community education

Community
Education

Education and professional training on issues relating to young women and gender diverse young people.