Stronger with support

Community Services came into my life when my child was 11 years old.

My child told the school that she had been touched by my partner.
I did not know about this until she was taken from school by Community Services. I felt very shocked when they told me what happened.
Community Services asked me for a bag of clothes for my child. I tried to be calm.
My partner became angry and slammed his hand down on a desk.
There was a lot of paperwork. I stayed up all night reading it.
I had enough paperwork to fit in a shopping bag.
For some words I had to Google it to find out what it meant.
I was still in shock about what had happened to my child.

Community Services gave me a brochure for a women’s service in my local area. I went there for support and counselling.

I split with my partner.
I got help with housing, and my feelings. I went to groups.
The workers helped me make plans.

I met lots of different people in the parents group. Sometimes it was hard to come to group because I had court.

I would see my child every Monday afternoon. Then I went to court and they changed it to monthly visits. This made me very sad.

After 5 years, my child could spend school holidays with me.
Then I found my child was going to live with me!
I felt shocked and happy at the same time.
My life has changed a lot.

Not having my child with me was sad.
I had to start my life again as a parent without a child.
Even though my child was not with me, I always thought about my child.
I set up my child’s bedroom and bought presents when I could.

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