Words of praise from past clients


With many thanks from Donna

I was connected with Donna almost two years ago in April 2022. I was going through immense turmoil with my personal safety and that of my children at risk. Being new to Australia I was particularly vulnerable, without any family or community support and I felt like there was no one I could trust.

Donna immediately validated all my safety and well being concerns and we started one on one counselling sessions. She shared her in-depth knowledge on pathways towards leaving abusive marriage safely and what are the various resources I can access. Over the next few months, she would personally accompany me to Centrelink and be my focal point for accessing a safe refuge which was suitable for the needs of my children. She also shared resources such as how to counsel young children on their parents separation which I found very useful.

I am overcome with emotion looking back at how much Donna was instrumental in making me feel I am not alone and the world is a safe place. Today as I heal and find myself safe and in a much better situation, moving on to building a new life for my children and I, I still find value in keeping in touch with Donna and tap into her reservoir of positivity and strength.

Client, Sydney

I was in an Intimate Partner Violence situation with my ex-partner for 37 years. The relationship had all the hallmarks associated with domestic violence, but I was living in a bubble of ignorance and always hoping our relationship would improve and I’d be given the respect I deserved by my partner. While many such relationships become worse quickly, mine was very much a long decline. At the end my partner attempted to strangle me.

I went from being too scared to leave, to too scared to stay. I ran to the police just before Covid and so began a long road to recovery. I was very fortunate to find Donna in my desperation to find help. Her kindness and assistance with support and information, referrals and finances were immense and sustained, in a situation where my daughter and I were in shock, grieving and in homeless chaos, dealing with unfamiliar police, courts and services.

I absolutely applaud Donna’s capabilities to assist with all forms of separation in a supportive and compassionate manner. Anyone who has the good fortune to have Donna’s backing at such stressful junctures in life is lucky beyond measure.

Diane, Sydney

Around 3 years ago, my family and I were referred from Victim services to a woman who was thrust into our chaotic world of DV and desperation. I had no idea how to navigate this post DV life and the aftermath and scars that it had left on me and my children.

Her name was Donna. She cared. She understood. She took time to really listen. She was an angel sent to us.

Donna straight away instinctively knew what to do. I was a mess and our family were in crisis. Donna got my son into an amazing trauma based therapist who he still sees. Her ability to know which services can be made available to us and her ability to utilise her skills and knowledge gave me great comfort. She was by my side when I attended my child’s school to assist me in explaining all that had been happening in my child’s personal life. She attended meetings with me when I didn’t have the strength to face people on my own. She didn’t have to do that. I knew she was there and it gave me comfort. I knew she genuinely cared for us and it gave me comfort. I trusted her professionalism and it gave me comfort. I haven’t felt comfortable or safe in so many years and Donna restored it back in me. I still have a way to go mentally but knowing that Donna was always just a phone call away with a sympathetic yet practical ear was everything to me. When you go through DV, you feel alone, isolated, scared, worried about everyone and everything. It feels like you don’t have a chance to breathe. I still feel unsafe at times for very little reasons. With Donna, I could breathe again and have glimmers of hope for our future. She came to know my kids and they came to know her. She is amazing. Nothing is ever too difficult. There are always solutions, it just takes someone of Donna’s calibre to know this when you don’t. There will never be words to write that could even begin to describe the gratitude that I have for her. She saved us. Thank you would never be enough. I think the greatest way is to show my gratitude is by attempting to thrive. By giving my kids the best of me. Of coming through this stronger. Of taking the skills of her experience and using them to move forward without the need of worry anymore.

She is my strength in times when I need it most.


Thank you Donna from the bottom of my heart 💜

Joanna, Sydney

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