Rebecca*, a young Aboriginal woman and her dog Buffy* were forced to leave their home due to serious family violence from Rebecca’s ex-partner.
The physical, psychological, financial and coercive control she had experienced throughout her relationship had left Rebecca isolated, estranged from family and friends, and with little support.
It followed a childhood of trauma, which had resulted in significant mental health issues. She had been using marijuana as a coping mechanism to deal with anxiety and depression.
When they entered our refuge, both Rebecca and Buffy were supported with appropriate referrals and access to brokerage to help meet their assessed needs.
Rebecca received support for her mental health. She participated in drug and alcohol counselling, where she was supported to develop positive coping skills. Onsite counselling services provided ongoing psychoeducation, initiated NDIS support, and worked with her post-refuge, enabling a period of handover to Rebecca’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing social work team.
These counselling services helped teach Rebecca about identifying healthy relationships, putting boundaries in place and caring for herself when experiencing challenging situations.
Rebecca experienced severe anxiety and was fearful of going out in the community by herself. After extensive work with her Case Manager and Support Worker, she started building up more confidence and began attending appointments by herself, using public transport, as well as advocating for herself.
Equine therapy funded through donations helped Rebecca reflect and learn valuable lessons about trust, resilience, communication and managing her overall emotional wellbeing.
Buffy, Rebecca’s pet dog, was also experiencing trauma, anxiety and significant medical issues. Buffy was linked with a vet clinic for ongoing medical treatment and was prescribed medication for her anxiety. Buffy also received vaccinations and underwent testing using Pets in Refuge flexible funding and donations.
Rebecca told her Refuge Victoria Case Manager that she had been denied her Aboriginal identity by her grandmother when she was young, and that she hoped to connect with culture and know her mob.
Rebecca’s Case Manager supported Rebecca to do that, by connecting her with a worker from an Indigenous Youth Group who was able to help her meet with young Aboriginal people and strengthen her cultural bonds by participating in cultural activities.
While in refuge, Rebecca was also supported to reconnect with a supportive sibling, in an effort to begin rebuilding fractured relationships.
Lack of long-term safe housing was a significant barrier to Rebecca beginning a new safe and free life. Rebecca’s Case Manager advocated for Rebecca and Buffy to find social housing managed by a not for profit housing association, and she was supported with furniture and white goods to set up her new home. Buffy particularly enjoys napping in her new dog bed.
As one of her goals, Rebecca expressed to her Case Manager that she would like to explore volunteering opportunities in her new community and hopes that her experiences can help others.
*Names have been changed.