Story

In a life shadowed by fear and control, I found myself trapped in a turbulent relationship with a man whose influence stretched far beyond the confines of our home. For years, the walls of my world closed in, each day marked by violence and isolation. He has violently hit me, raped me, kidnapped me and other things I will not repeat on here. My life revolved around a powerful figure whose reach extended into every corner of the community, making it nearly impossible to seek help and, even more so, to escape. I went to services that help with this type of situation but they could only help so much and the police I could not go to at all. I was a prisoner in my own home never aloud to leave unless it was for shopping, even then he would track my every move. He went as low as putting hands on my daughter and using her and bait to me in the house. This man was evil.

But amid the darkness, my one-year-old daughter shone as a beacon of hope and resilience. It was for her that I summoned the courage to break free from a situation that had held us prisoner for far too long. With nothing but a small bag and the little cash I could gather, I made the difficult decision to flee, leaving behind not just a life of fear but also everything we possessed. I only took what I could cause I knew I didn’t have long to get out. The car, pram everything.

We embarked on a journey of uncertainty, stepping into the unknown with the hope of building a new life free from violence and intimidation and far away from this city. The path has been daunting. With no family to turn to and friends too intimidated to offer support, our struggle feels insurmountable at times. Yet, every day is a testament to our strength and determination to create a future where my daughter can thrive free from fear.

Today, we stand at a crossroads, seeking both refuge and a chance to rebuild. I share our story to reach out to those who can help illuminate our path forward. Your support can provide us with the stability we desperately need to heal, find security, and ultimately, to transform our narrative from one of survival to one of triumph and restoration.