Building Safety, Support, and Connection

My name’s Jack, and I’m 20 years old. I came to Pop In after one of the worst nights of my life. My mum and I were both physically assaulted by her husband—my stepfather, someone who had been in our lives for over 10 years.

Jack’s Story

Jack’s journey highlights not only the complexity of family violence but also the resilience of young people in confronting it.

"The violence had been building up over time. He was always controlling and verbally abusive, but that night, it became something else entirely. We were both hurt trying to protect each other. I’ll never forget the moment my mate, who happened to be at the house, called Triple Zero. I don’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t.

After the police came, I had to give a DVEC—that’s a Domestic Violence Evidence in Chief—which meant recording a video statement about what happened. That process was nearly as traumatic as the actual event. Reliving every detail was really hard.

Then came the wait—four months before we went to court because my stepfather pleaded not guilty. That time was hell. I felt anxious all the time, constantly thinking about having to face him again, to see him in the courtroom, and remember everything he’d done to me and my mum."

“Pop In became my safe place through all of this. They stood by me when everything else felt like it was falling apart”

"They helped me get counselling through Victims Services and found someone who truly understood what I was going through. They walked me through what to expect at court—what it would look like, what I might feel—and they were there with me on the day, making sure I had somewhere safe to wait and wasn’t exposed to him. After court, they stayed to check in and debrief with me. I never felt alone.

What stood out to me most was how I was treated—with kindness, with respect. I never felt judged. They didn’t see me as just another case—they saw me as a person who had been through something terrible and deserved support and dignity. That mattered more than I can explain.

Pop In’s values—kindness, dignity and respect, the importance of community, trust and safety, and a commitment to personal growth—aren’t just words on a wall. I felt them every time I walked through the door. They made space for me to feel what I needed to feel, and they helped me start to rebuild.

Now there’s an AVO in place protecting my mum, my siblings, and me. We’re safe. It’s still a long road, but thanks to Pop In, I’m not walking it alone."

"Pop In worked alongside Jack for five months, providing tailored support throughout this challenging time. The team:

  • Applied for Victims Services counselling on Jack’s behalf and connected him with a professional specialising in trauma recovery for young people

  • Helped Jack prepare for court by explaining procedures and offering reassurance

  • Provided a safe and private space for Jack and his family while they waited at court, ensuring he did not have to see the perpetrator unnecessarily

  • Attended court with Jack, offering emotional support and a safe person to debrief with after each appearance

Pop In - A community led response to domestic violence

*names and details have been changed to protect privacy and safety.