From domestic violence to empowerment

Control of another person is the driving force behind domestic violence, and it is something so common that one in six Australian women have experienced it at the hands of a current or former partner.

At 11, Leah’s mother left her caring for her younger sister. Her father was verbally abusive with Leah and physically abusive to her sister.

At 16, she found herself couch surfing and then living in a youth hostel. Even securing short-term accommodation there came at an emotional cost to Leah.

“The only way I could get help was if my parents said they didn’t want me,” said Leah. “They confirmed that which hurt.” Shortly after, she met her boyfriend.

Leah became pregnant and her boyfriend didn’t want the child. Pregnancy is a time of heightened risk for women who experience family and domestic violence.

After fleeing the violence, at 17 Leah delivered a baby daughter six weeks premature.

Alone, at 18, Leah then met her second boyfriend, and the couple would be together for the next two years. During that time, he was physically abusive, and financially controlling.

“It started with threats. He choked me at one stage and would hit me. I was just angry because I wanted to protect my kid.” Leah was scared and wondered where she would go and how she could protect herself and her daughter.

Leah ended the relationship after a particularly traumatic experience. “I was scared of everyone, everything. The pain, the aching.”

Leah turned to her sister who called an ambulance and Leah ended up in the hospital. “I was really broken, but it was where I actually got help.” This led to Leah being put in touch with the St Vincent de Paul Society.

The Society has provided Leah with support to find housing, food, clothes, furniture, white goods, and emotional support.

“When I got there, the biggest challenge was dealing with the PTSD. I was having major highs from going to the beach and finding that calm. Then I would have huge lows, and nightmares, and insomnia. I didn’t feel like I deserved it, but I knew my daughter deserved it."

The assistance provided has opened an array of choices for Leah that had been closed due to the neglect and abuse she had experienced from those closest to her. Leah’s main goal is to provide the kind of life for her daughter that she didn’t have as a child.

“I want to give her what she wants which, at the moment, is gymnastics and swimming. She is a sporty kid and I love it. Because when I was young, I always wanted to do so sports, but my parents couldn’t afford it.

“I just want her to be this strong, independent little woman. And I think she already is. Trust me, she is boss.”