Supporting Safety, Stability and Change: 16 Days of Activism
How our Domestic and Family Violence Program helped a mother rebuild after domestic violence.
CatholicCare’s Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program continues to play a vital role in helping women and children rebuild their lives after domestic and family violence. One recent case highlights not only the immense resilience of a local mother of four, but also the impact of strong advocacy and coordinated support.
After leaving a long-term domestic violence relationship, the woman faced further trauma when the person of interest (POI) removed all four children from the home without her consent. Despite experiencing violence herself, she had cross-AVOs in place due to an incident where she acted in self-defence, circumstances that unfortunately prevented her from regaining care of her children.
SHLV stepped in to provide practical, emotional and ongoing safety support. Through sustained advocacy, the client was eventually reunited with her youngest child, while legal work continues for the older three. SHLV also worked closely with her to strengthen her stability and long-term safety, including:
- Installing security cameras at her property
- Supporting her to have the POI removed from the lease
- Linking her with Legal Aid and solicitors to progress a recovery order
- Assisting her to apply for the Start Safely rental subsidy to maintain secure housing.
When her initial Start Safely application was rejected due to the cross-AVOs, SHLV recognised a systemic gap. Working alongside partner services, they advocated for changes that now allow clients with cross-AVOs arising from self-defence to access the program. This shift will make a significant difference for many women navigating similar situations.
Support for this client remains ongoing as legal proceedings continue. Her greatest priority has always been maintaining a safe, stable home so her children have somewhere familiar to return to. With SHLV’s practical assistance and strong advocacy, she has achieved this while working toward family reunification.
Seeking help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, CatholicCare offers specialist programs and confidential support.
Learn more about how we can help at: www.catholiccare.org.au/16-days-of-activism/
What is 16 Days of Activism?
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign held from 25 November to 10 December. It raises awareness about gender-based violence, encourages community action, and promotes safety, respect and equality for women and girls.
Why CatholicCare Supports the Movement
CatholicCare participates in the campaign to stand with victim-survivors, highlight the impact of domestic and family violence in our region, and promote pathways to safety. By sharing stories, raising awareness and advocating for change, we reaffirm our commitment to helping women and children live free from violence.