Every woman who comes to Mary’s House Services has her own complex story.
While the circumstances may differ, many share a common experience. They are navigating uncertainty, overcoming significant barriers and taking courageous steps towards safety for themselves and their children.
In our latest video, members of the Mary’s House Services social work team reflect on the women they have supported and the importance of providing practical, personalised, and trauma-informed care throughout the healing journey.
Abuse doesn’t always look the way people expect
When people think about domestic and family violence, they often picture physical violence. While physical abuse remains a significant issue, domestic and family violence can take many forms.
Financial abuse, psychological abuse, coercive control, isolation and intimidation can all have profound and lasting impacts on a person’s wellbeing and sense of self.
A Mary’s House Services social worker shared the story of a woman who sought support while leaving a relationship marked by years of financial and psychological abuse. From the outside, the family appeared successful and stable. Yet behind closed doors, she was experiencing behaviour that left her feeling trapped and fearful.
Like many women, she knew something was wrong but struggled to identify and describe what she was experiencing.
By helping her understand coercive control and recognise the abuse for what it was, the Mary’s House team provided something incredibly powerful: language.
Once she could name her experience, she was able to begin rebuilding her confidence, speaking openly about what had happened and taking steps towards a safer future.
Every woman’s journey is different
Another story shared by the team highlighted the complexity of the barriers many women face.
A young mother who had recently migrated to Australia arrived with limited English, a young daughter and a fear of losing her visa. Having experienced significant domestic and family violence, she was focused on one thing above all else: keeping her child safe.
At the time, there was no immediate vacancy in refuge accommodation. Rather than turning her away, the team worked creatively to secure temporary accommodation while continuing to support her.
When a refuge place became available, she was welcomed into that safe environment to continue the journey of rebuilding her life.
Working alongside legal and community partners, the team supported her to navigate visa challenges, secure permanent residency and access the services she needed to establish independence for herself and her daughter.
Her story is a reminder that meaningful support often extends far beyond crisis accommodation.
Watch our video here:
Walking beside women on the path to recovery
One of the strongest themes throughout the video is the importance of meeting women where they are.
Recovery is not a linear process, and there is no single solution that works for everyone. Some women may wish to engage with police, while others may not. Some may need immediate housing support, while others require help navigating legal, financial or parenting challenges.
At Mary’s House Services, we believe that women are the experts in their own lives. Our role is not to tell them what to do, but to provide the information, support and opportunities they need to make informed decisions for themselves and their children.
As one social worker reflected, sometimes what a woman needs most is somewhere safe to stay and someone willing to walk beside her.
Beyond refuge
While refuge accommodation is a critical part of our work, it is only one part of the journey.
Mary’s House Services provides ongoing support to women and children for as long as it is needed. Through case management, counselling, advocacy, community programs and practical assistance, we help women build confidence, strengthen their support networks and create pathways towards long-term safety and independence.
The stories shared by the social work team demonstrate the impact that compassionate, person-centred support can have on the lives of women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.
When barriers feel overwhelming, having someone by your side can change everything.
Every day, the team has the privilege of witnessing the resilience, courage, and determination of the women they support. It is a reminder that with the right support, healing is possible, hope can be restored and new beginnings can emerge.
If you would like to learn more about the services offered by Mary’s House Services, or support our work with women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, we encourage you to get in touch or explore the resources available on our website.
