Nina reclaims her life after violence

October 7, 2026

For Nina, her workplace became more than just a job, it was a rare pocket of safety in an otherwise controlled and frightening world. It was the only place where she could speak openly with her Case Worker, free from surveillance and intimidation. In this safe space, she regained control, set goals and took the crucial steps to leave her perpetrator and start a new life.

“When Nina was referred to our service by Uniting Supporting Families, she was still living with her ex-partner and their two year old child,” explains CatholicCare Case Worker Fernanda. “Although the relationship had ended, Nina remained in the home due to a complex web of coercive control, fear, cultural isolation and limited access to support.”

Nina’s ex-partner – an Australian citizen familiar with the system – used his knowledge as a weapon. Constantly watching her through in-home cameras, he controlled who she could talk to, and when. He mocked her Portuguese heritage and banned her from speaking her native language, stripping away a vital part of her identity. The abuse was relentless – verbal insults, cultural denigration, psychological torment and physical aggression. Nina lived in fear, isolated and was unsure where to turn.

But everything began to shift when she connected with Fernanda, who shared her cultural background and language. “We communicated in our shared first language, which allowed her to express herself freely and without fear of being monitored,” says Fernanda. “Cultural safety was a core component of our work together. To maintain secure communication, we provided Nina with a safe phone, kept at her workplace, as she strongly suspected her main phone was being monitored. All engagement was trauma-informed and centred around restoring Nina’s sense of control, safety and dignity. She was never rushed. Each step was taken collaboratively and at her pace, ensuring she always felt informed and empowered.”

Over time, Nina’s resilience shone. She engaged in safety planning, learned about domestic violence, and set long-term goals. With support, she accessed financial help through the Escaping Violence Payment and Victims Services. These funds allowed her to save for upfront rent, take driving lessons and buy a small car. She even purchased safety cameras for her future home and began furnishing the new space.

A referral to Legal Aid helped her understand her rights and Nina was supported to prepare a detailed report which included gathered evidence and a timeline of events. On the day that Nina left the home, she submitted this report, and a protective Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) was issued for her and her child.

Her ex-partner, oblivious to the report, tried to rewrite the story. He told friends Nina was experiencing a mental health crisis and had taken their child. He showed up uninvited at their homes, attempting to track her down. But thanks to careful safety planning, Nina spent the weekend with a trusted friend away from the Central Coast. When he went to the police station to report her, he was served with the ADVO instead.

After her escape, Nina stayed at a women’s refuge for about a month. During this time, CatholicCare helped her search for rentals. Her new car gave her independence to attend inspections, and with the Start Safely subsidy approved, she smoothly transitioned into a long-term rental without the financial burden of full rent.

A safety audit of her new home ensured she felt secure. Referrals to Victims Services connected her to counselling, helping her heal emotionally. Nina also began studying at TAFE, determined to build a stable future for herself and her child.

A milestone came when her child was enrolled in daycare – an opportunity her ex-partner had previously denied. CatholicCare assisted in providing clothing for both Nina and her son, including professional attire for job interviews, and referred her to employment support services.

Perhaps most powerfully, in court, Nina showed profound compassion and strength by requesting a variation to the ADVO. She wanted her child to maintain supervised contact with his father, reflecting her deep commitment to her child’s wellbeing and healthy boundaries despite the trauma she endured. It was a powerful act of reclaiming choice and autonomy.

At case closure, Nina expressed deep satisfaction with the life she was rebuilding. “My life has done a complete 360,” she said. There had been no breaches of the ADVO, and for the first time in years, she feels truly safe.

A step-down referral was made to Uniting Supporting Families – a trusted service familiar to Nina – to support her ongoing emotional wellbeing and help her child adjust to their new life.

Nina faced overwhelming barriers, yet through her incredible resilience, careful planning, and the unwavering support of a coordinated network of services, she created a new life for herself and her child.

“Supporting Nina through this journey has been deeply meaningful,” says Fernanda. “I’m incredibly proud of everything she has achieved.”