No parent wants to be without a home - Sarah's story

"I came from a situation where I had no savings, no money to even buy food for the kids at times."

When she called the Salvos, Sarah* and her children had nothing. No money. No toys. And suddenly, nowhere to go.

Escaping fear

Sarah and her children had lived in fear for months, traumatised by Sarah's violent and controlling partner. So, on the day when her partner left the house to buy a pack of cigarettes, Sarah seized that 10-minute 'escape window'.

She frantically stuffed a bag with whatever she could lay her hands on, told her children to stay close, and together they fled.

The family had nothing more than the clothes they were wearing, and the bag Sarah has managed to pack. The family fled without the essentials - items like underwear, toiletries, and even shoes.

In that moment, Sarah knew it was more important to leave, no matter what.

A desperate call for help

Sarah unwrapped the piece of paper she had been clutching onto tightly. It was a number for the Salvos - a place that Sarah believed to be her one hope for refuge.

And she was right.

The Salvation Army became the hope Sarah and her children needed, and secured the family a place in short - and long-term refuge, where they would be free and safe from Sarah's violent partner.

Because of the timely support provided by the Salvos, Sarah and her children were spared the additional trauma of homelessness. They had a place they could feel safe in.

The crushing housing crisis

A crucial factor that contributed to Sarah's recovery journey from her experience of violence was being able to secure safe and stable accommodation, and a place her children could grow up and thrive in.

Sarah tried to find a rental while in long-term refuge. But with the rising housing prices, and the fact that she had no savings or income, impacted her ability to compete in the brutal rental market, and be accepted for accommodation.

Upon receiving rejection after rejection, Sarah lost all hope.

As Bessie, a senior family violence project coordinator with The Salvation Army says, "Rent is going up astronomically. It's unprecedented. A mother like Sarah wants to protect her children, but she doesn't have the financial resources to leave."

Pathway home

With the support of The Salvation Army, Sarah was finally accepted for a private rental.

As she recalls, "After trying so hard for a long time, I felt really lucky when I was finally approved for a rental property."

Once living in a stable home and with ongoing support from her dedicated Salvos support worker, Sarah was able to return to work - finding a job that was flexible around her children's school times.

Sarah's children have now settled at their new school, happy they don't have to move anymore. Sarah and her family now have a place to call home and a new beginning, thanks to The Salvation Army.

*Names changed to protect privacy