Adele* came to Windermere when she was eight months pregnant together with her three other children and her mother. She was in a state of deep distress. Although she had separated from her partner, Corey*, due to ongoing violence and had taken out an intervention order, he still managed to track the family down, break into their house and threatened to kill them repeatedly.
Tamara*, the eldest child, soon began experiencing panic attacks at school and shared with a School Counsellor what was happening at home. Somehow her father found out and forbade her from ever going to school again. Each day for the next two weeks Corey would lie in wait outside the school grounds, to see if Tamara went against his wishes.
Adele had tried to leave a number of times but felt it may be too dangerous for her kids until it became too dangerous to stay.
Terrified that the threat of death was real and imminent Adele gathered her children and mother and left home with nothing and turned to Windermere for help.
Within a few hours, Windermere was able to ensure Adele received medical attention for her and her unborn baby plus safe, secure, untraceable accommodation. Food, clothing and petrol vouchers were also provided so Adele could also attend to the immediate needs of her family.
A week later a safe refuge was found and 3G safety cards, a silent, round the clock monitoring pendant (or wristband) was issued to Adele, her eldest daughter and mother. The wearable devices are monitored around the clock and when activated pinpoint the exact location of the person in distress so police can immediately respond. The device also records any threatening conversations that occur which can then be used in court.
Windermere has also arranged for Adele and her mother to receive counselling for family violence and sexual assault and vital support services have been put in place for the older children.
For the first time, in a very long time, Adele and her family are safe.
* Names changed to protect privacy.
48 Webb Street
Boonwurrung Country
Narre Warren, VIC 3805
ABN: 63 066 828 936
Registered Charity Number: A0025460D
Donations greater than $2 are tax deductible for Australian taxpayers.
Windermere is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all children and young people.
Phone: 1300 946 337
Fax: (03) 9796 7650
Email: info@windermere.org.au
Windermere is committed to equity & equality for consumers and employees, this by building diverse and inclusive services and work environments, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2024. All forms of discrimination, including that based on race, culture, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, will not be tolerated. All employees, consumers and visitors are expected to behave in non-discriminatory ways.
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