This Christmas, help families find safety, freedom and hope.

Chaya knew she had to protect her 3 year old daughter Anya no matter what.

But it meant surviving a dangerous and unpredictable homelife.

Chaya was trapped in a life of isolation and constant threats.

 

From the time Anya was born, her father Neil had Chaya in his grip of control and coercion*. Chaya’s biggest fear was losing Anya. When Anya was less than a year old, Neil had taken her away from Chaya for a month.

She couldn’t forget the fear and pain.

 

She hoped for a new beginning when they moved to Australia, but danger was always around the corner. Neil would threaten to send her back, make medical appointments declaring her mentally unfit, call the police to report her as a threat and unfit mother…

He would also try to keep her out of their home.  

Chaya never knew what could happen next. She struggled to speak English. She had no family, and endured pain and fatigue due to chronic illness.  

But Anya needed her mum.

The authorities and health professionals soon understood that Chaya needed support.  And help came when we stepped into Chaya’s world. She and Anya finally moved away, settling into life in a shared living arrangement, but Neil continued to disrupt their lives.

 

One day, Chaya received a troubling phone call from Neil. She sensed her life was in danger and reached out to her Windermere Support Worker who promptly called Safe Steps. Chaya and Anya were quickly taken to an undisclosed location, just in time.

We remained in contact, providing vouchers for everyday supplies. We eventually relocated Chaya and Anya so they wouldn’t be isolated and could continue accessing supports. We also helped Anya enrol in a new school and provided school supplies and a uniform.

In time, our community partnership with Women’s Property Initiative presented a stable affordable housing opportunity ideal for Chaya and Anya. Before they moved in, we ensured the property was secured with security cameras. It proved vital for their safety.

The cameras captured footage of Chaya and Anya being followed home and helped trace it back to Neil. He knew he could no longer risk being exposed. Incriminating evidence from a separate crime kept Neil away from their lives forever.

Chaya and Anya could finally breathe freely.

Chaya now looks forward to building a strong future for herself and Anya. One day she hopes to walk in the footsteps of her support worker.

 

*Names have been changed to protect identity

Other Ways to Give

If you can't donate to this appeal, you can still make a difference by contributing to our Gift In Kind Fundraiser, which helps provide emergency care and resources to families in need.