Rose* fled a domestic violence situation two years ago, taking nothing but her three young children.

After 13 years of living with a drug and alcohol dependent partner, she’d finally got the courage to leave their home in Kurri Kurri for what she hoped would be a better future.

Thanks to a local police officer, Rose was referred to Carrie’s Place and in 2020 she met with “an angel named Mandy” who helped her start again.

“It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Rose says.

“Not only for me but for my kids. 

“I stayed with him for so long because of the kids, and I thought he might change one day, but he never did and the whole thing was just killing us.

“But, I had nowhere else to go. He’d made me lose my family and my friends, I hadn’t even spoken to my mum since my daughter was born and she’s five now.”

Rose’s story is one of hundreds that Carrie’s Place deals with each year.

The safe haven based in East Maitland has already supported 704 people facing homelessness, and 234 women and children fleeing domestic violence in the past nine months.

Through its Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services they have assisted 1867 women since July 2021.

This week the not-for-profit group launched The Butterfly Effect Appeal – calling on community members to donate on behalf of their mum this Mother’s Day.

“Unfortunately, the demand for our domestic and family violence services is growing,” says Carrie’s Place CEO Jayne Clowes.

“So far this year 15 women have lost their lives in Australia to violence, often at the hand of their current or former partner. 

“This appeal is as much about monetary donations as it is about the community coming together to make change, and the flow on effect this will have.

“It’s about one mother/women helping another by donating to Carrie’s Place.”

Donations made to the Carrie’s Place The Butterfly Effect Appeal will allow the team to continue providing crucial domestic violence and homelessness services, which in-turn build capacity, inclusion, and resilience across Maitland and the Hunter Valley community.

All donors will receive a specially designed gift certificate of appreciation in recognition of their contribution.

*Not her real name.

For more stories like this:

• Novocastrians call for change at rally to end domestic violence
• Payne concerned about Hunter DV issues
• Hunter Workers call for 10 days paid DV leave

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