Support workers give women hope
CHANGE - that is the thing that keeps one Edon Place Domestic Violence Service support worker going.
Knowing that both the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence have the ability to change themselves and their situation to bring about a brighter future.
"If I didn't see change, I think my faith would dwindle," the worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
The woman has been an outreach support worker with the service for two years assisting female domestic violence victims.
"It's a hard job but it's a rewarding job," she said.
"We hear all the time 'why don't they just leave' but my reply is how easily could you walk away from your relationship?
"It's not as easy as that."
The support worker, who sees between 20 to 30 women each day, said there were many types of domestic violence ranging from the physical to the financial.
"I've seen women with four kids given $50 a week to provide groceries for her family and then she gets accosted if she can't stick to these budgets," she said.
"A lot of people don't identify this as domestic violence."
But she said every case was different and touched everyone, young and old, rich and poor, male and female.
"Occasionally you hear of an act done to a female by a male that touches deep," she said.
"It's the little things that blow my mind.
"How does another human being even think to do that to others?"
But it's important for the staff to leave their work at the office.
"There's a routine I do so I leave what happens here but the second I walk in, it's back again," she said.
"I wouldn't be able to function if it was in my mind constantly.
"When I first started it obviously played on my mind more."
But despite the bad, the suport worker said her job was very rewarding, especially giving women hope and helping them to move on through the seven-week program It's Your Turn to Shine.
"I think there is a time to sit back and feel and go through what you have to but I'm excited about empowering women and helping them to move forward," she said.
"At the end of the day, they love this guy and they want the relationship but they just don't want the violence.
"Everyone has a different journey and we're here to help them through that on whatever path they choose."
