{"id":94353,"date":"2023-03-07T16:16:15","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T05:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wesleymission.org.au\/?post_type=news-and-publication&p=94353"},"modified":"2023-12-08T12:22:15","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T01:22:15","slug":"sarah-and-elizabeths-story-finding-a-safe-home","status":"publish","type":"news-and-publication","link":"https:\/\/www.wesleymission.org.au\/news-and-publications\/sarah-and-elizabeths-story-finding-a-safe-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarah and Elizabeth\u2019s story: Finding a safe home"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Trigger warning: mentions domestic violence<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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When Sarah* was pregnant with her daughter Elizabeth*, she sadly experienced heartbreaking abuse and violence from her husband \u2013 the very person they should have been able to rely on most for unconditional love and protection.<\/p>

\u201cWhen Elizabeth was a few weeks old and crying, her dad locked her up in a cupboard,\u201d remembers Sarah.<\/p>

\u201cAnother time when she cried, he threw her on the couch. He\u2019d lock me in a room and tell me I couldn\u2019t go comfort her.\u201d<\/p>

When they fled their home, Sarah felt utterly desolate and exhausted. She spent her nights shivering on the streets in the rain, hugging Elizabeth close to protect her from the weather as best she could.<\/p>

\u201cOne time I cuddled my baby in a shop doorway all night,\u201d Sarah reflects. \u201cIt was winter, and I was freezing cold and drenched with the rain.\u201d<\/p>

Feeling desperate and with nowhere to go, Sarah called her ex-husband to pick them up. But the abuse continued. Every time Sarah would flee with Elizabeth for days on end, the fear and lack of options always forced her back to the place where they at least had a roof over their heads.<\/p>

Finally, when the marriage completely broke down and divorce proceedings were underway, Sarah sought advice from Legal Aid, where she was referred to Wesley Mission.<\/p>

Here they met Judith, Wesley Mission caseworker and for the first time, Sarah and Elizabeth\u2019s lives began to turn around.<\/p>

\u201cI don\u2019t know where Elizabeth and I would be today without Wesley Mission and our caseworker Judith,\u201d Sarah says.<\/p>

Judith connected with Wesley Community Housing who provided a place for Sarah and Elizabeth to call home.<\/p>

\u201cBecause I had a baby and no car, she drove us over here. She brought a Ute and helped us move in. Our unit is small but we\u2019re safe, we can breathe,\u201d Sarah explains.<\/p>

Unable to financially provide for herself and Elizabeth, Judith helped Sarah apply for Centrelink and provided supplies so Sarah could start building a future for her family.<\/p>

\u201cShe gave us food hampers and called me a few days a week to check in and made sure we had what we needed. She even gave us some furniture. Without Wesley Mission, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to get my head around everything or get back on my feet at all.\u201d<\/p>

Along with Judith\u2019s support, Sarah has also been cared for by Liesa, Wesley Community Housing Community Engagement Officer. Liesa would regularly visit to check-in on Sarah and Elizabeth\u2019s wellbeing and pray with them.<\/p>

\u201cI remember a few times that she would come visit and I told her all those dreadful moments in my life that was happening on me,\u201d Sarah explains.<\/p>

\u201cShe would hold my hands and pray with me. <\/strong>Those words that came out from her mouth \u2013 it was so beautiful. And slowly I started to believe that it will come true, that God will look after me.<\/p>

\u201cGod brought beautiful people like Judith, like Liesa to help me \u2013 to be able to let me stand on my feet, to work, to get my child anything that I can for her.\u201d<\/p>

Sarah says she also appreciates how well cared for and maintained her place is, thanks to Wesley Community Housing.<\/p>

\u201cThey look after tenants like their own families. That’s how great they are.\u201d<\/p>

Every time it pours with rain or is freezing cold outside, Sarah\u2019s reminded of how thankful she is to have found support through Wesley Mission.<\/p>

\u201cI think if we didn\u2019t have this help, I might not be here now. My situation before was so terrible that many times I just didn\u2019t want to live. I believe Wesley Mission has saved my life.\u201d<\/p>

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*Names and photos have been changed to protect privacy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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If you or someone you know needs support, connect with us today<\/a>. If you\u2019re in need of a bed tonight, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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