Building Safety, Support, and Connection
Will you be there for mothers with nowhere to go?
When Jessica* first walked through the doors of Pop In, she was exhausted and afraid. She had been referred to Pop In by the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (DVLO) at NSW Police after making the difficult decision to report her ex-partner for domestic violence. The police took swift action, applying for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) to protect Jessica and her child.
Jessica’s ex-partner had a history of domestic violence convictions. She knew she had to break free for her child’s safety, but the road ahead was daunting. She needed financial stability, legal protection, safe housing, emotional support, and a way to start over. She had no idea where to begin.
Jessica’s Story
Jessica is just one of the 250 women and children supported by Pop In over the past 12 months.
Domestic violence is not just an individual crisis—it affects families, communities, and society as a whole.
The latest statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data release of March 2025, highlight the scale of this issue. Since the age of 15:
1 in 6 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a current or previous cohabiting partner.
1 in 4 women have experienced emotional abuse by a current or previous cohabiting partner.
1 in 6 women have experienced economic abuse by a current or previous cohabiting partner.
1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence.
We need your help to continue to provide wrap around support services for other women and children like Jessica and her child.
When Jessica arrived at Pop In, it was clear that she required assistance in multiple areas:
She lacked financial resources and needed immediate support for basic necessities.
She was navigating police and legal systems, including the ADVO and Family Law Court proceedings.
She faced logistical challenges that compromised her safety, such as securing private mail delivery.
She was isolated, cut off from friends and family, and needed support to reconnect with the community.
She needed safe housing, away from the threat of violence.
Most importantly, she needed a supportive network to walk beside her as she navigated this new chapter.
Step by step, we helped Jessica rebuild her life by providing:
Financial Stability: Assistance in accessing Centrelink support and securing an Immediate Needs Support Package through Victims Services.
Legal & Safety Advocacy: Liaising with police and the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) to provide Family Law Court support.
Housing Support: Helping Jessica apply for Start Safely, a program providing rental assistance for women escaping domestic violence.
Safety & Security Measures: Arranging for mail redirection through Australia Post to protect her location.
Emotional & Community Support: Connecting Jessica with community programs at Pop In, helping her rebuild relationships, and providing emotional support and case management, including safety planning and legal document guidance.
Your gift can help give another woman the support she needs to move on. Please, donate today.
When a mother is in an abusive relationship, her fear for her child is overwhelming. Making the decision to leave her abusive relationship was a crucial first step for Jessica. Once she'd done it, she needed Pop In's support the help rebuild her life.
We're determined to provide women and children like Jessica with the support they need to rebuild their lives.
At Pop In, we know that real change begins at the community level. We support women and children from all walks of life who have experienced all forms of domestic violence. With your continued support, we have seen how community-led action can transform lives.
Thank you
*names and details have been changed to protect privacy and safety.Building Safety, Support, and Connection
Will you be there for mothers with nowhere to go?
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.