Domestic and family violence is the primary reason women and children are forced to leave their homes in Australia. But often, the fear of ‘sleeping rough’ and being forced to live in poverty can delay victims leaving or even keep them from leaving a violent relationship. The consequences of such violence are severe, especially for children, who can suffer from lifelong trauma, mental health issues and poor educational outcomes. For these families, finding safe, secure and appropriate housing is essential to begin the recovery process and build a stable future.
RizeUp is a community-driven organisation committed to supporting families affected by domestic and family violence with a core program that is designed to provide this much-needed stability.
Providing stability through the RizeUp Homes program
RizeUp receives some limited information about the family members interests and choose items for their home, from living room furniture to kitchen essentials, pantry items, laundry and cleaning supplies, comfort and décor items.
Once delivered, RizeUp volunteers arrive and construct bed frames and dining tables, make the beds, display toys, books, school supplies and leave a pamper pack for Mum. An empty rental is transformed into a cosy, welcoming home.
Letting the family focus on recovery and staying safe
It takes immense courage to leave a domestic violence situation, but women can often be forced to return, maybe several times, because they left with nothing. A fully furnished home lets the family focus on recovery from the trauma, spending their limited finances on other necessities, rather than worrying about kids sleeping on floorboards, or missing their toys and going to a new school tired and distressed. It helps children and young people regain a sense of security, allowing them to attend school, engage with their community and begin healing from their trauma.
In 2023, FFV’s Community Grants program supported RizeUp’s Trauma Recovery Packs, which include essential items to help children feel safe and comfortable, contributing to their overall sense of security. This support enabled 80 children’s bed packs and 15 baby’s cot packs to be delivered to Victorian children who have been impacted by domestic and family violence. All up, 165 women, children and babies benefited from the funding. Seeing their children sleeping safely and comfortably relieves the pressure on women and reduces the likelihood of them returning to the violence for fear of facing poverty or homelessness.
Empowering volunteers with lived experience
The profound difference this service makes extends beyond the families it helps, to the individuals that volunteer. Many of the more than 1,000 volunteers at Rize-Up have been impacted by trauma and received past RizeUp support themselves. They report improved mental health and connection from giving back via the volunteering work. This in turn develops a network of trauma-informed advocates in the community.
By providing safe housing and trauma recovery resources, RizeUp is helping to break the cycle of violence, ensuring that victim-survivors have the opportunity to build a safer, more secure future
