Moving forward: women’s journeys after leaving an abusive relationship. Implications for policy and practice in Australia
Genevieve Nelson, Kate Spalding, Judith Teicke and Melina Isgro-Rarp
The Benevolent Society
Contact Email:   genevievenbensoc.org.au

Domestic violence is a pervasive and enduring problem facing many families in Australia today. Whilst research has examined the experiences of women and children experiencing domestic violence and the processes involved in leaving an abusive relationship, there is a paucity of research examining their journeys after they have separated from the abuse. This paper reports the findings of an in-depth qualitative research report conducted by The Benevolent Society that explored the experiences of women and children who have separated from domestic violence. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with women and professionals, whereby women had been separated from the abuse for a minimum of one year. Key findings emerging from the data were focused around the long-term, enduring impact of domestic violence on physical and mental health, the roles played by formal and informal support services, internal and external coping strategies initiated by the women themselves, and the unique experiences of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Recommendations for policy and practice are given including the need for outreach services in Australia that are free, anonymous, and flexible and soft entry points for domestic violence specialists in existing community services.

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