Sylvia was referred to the COMPASS program through one of our family violence lawyers. The family violence lawyer was assisting Sylvia with legal matters, and identified that she would benefit from the wrap-around and holistic non-legal support provided by our COMPASS worker.
Sylvia lived with her parents in a controlling family environment until marrying in her mid-thirties. This marriage was controlling and at times physically abusive, and Sylvia was able to leave after 8 years. Sylvia then met a new partner and spent 20 years in a relationship that was emotionally abusive. When this broke down, Sylvia found it difficult to live on her own and to accept that the relationship had ended. The client was emotional and vulnerable; she didn’t know how to move forward without some kind of closure regarding her relationship ending.
Our COMPASS worker provided an opportunity for Sylvia to be heard and understood. Using a Strengths Based Approach, our worker was able to help Sylvia to discover skills she didn’t realise she had – resilience, inner strength, and being open to learning new tools to cope. The COMPASS worker was also able to help Sylvia understand her ex-partner was controlling and emotionally abusive towards her, and that this is family violence.
With this support, Sylvia has decided to move forward and will try to put the thought of closure aside. She aims to get back into activities she previously did regularly, and to seek therapy if needed.
Sylvia lived with her parents in a controlling family environment until marrying in her mid-thirties. This marriage was controlling and at times physically abusive, and Sylvia was able to leave after 8 years. Sylvia then met a new partner and spent 20 years in a relationship that was emotionally abusive. When this broke down, Sylvia found it difficult to live on her own and to accept that the relationship had ended. The client was emotional and vulnerable; she didn’t know how to move forward without some kind of closure regarding her relationship ending.
Our COMPASS worker provided an opportunity for Sylvia to be heard and understood. Using a Strengths Based Approach, our worker was able to help Sylvia to discover skills she didn’t realise she had – resilience, inner strength, and being open to learning new tools to cope. The COMPASS worker was also able to help Sylvia understand her ex-partner was controlling and emotionally abusive towards her, and that this is family violence.
With this support, Sylvia has decided to move forward and will try to put the thought of closure aside. She aims to get back into activities she previously did regularly, and to seek therapy if needed.
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BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
To find out more about the service please follow this link: About Us
BGCLS Acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the region we service, their diversity, histories and knowledge and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders past present and emerging.
Many images of Ballarat and surrounds by photographer, Andrew Thomas. Visit Andrew's website to see more of his beautiful images - http://www.andrewthomasphotographer.com/