⚠️ Trigger Warning

This fundraiser contains references to domestic and family violence, child harm, neglect, and coercive control.

Please read with care and prioritise your wellbeing.

If you are in Australia and impacted by domestic or family violence, support is available:

1800respect.org.au | 1800 737 732

lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14

relationships.org.au

legalaid.wa.gov.au

Emergency assistance: Call 000 if anyone is in immediate danger.

Hi community,

For the purposes of Domestic Violence safety and confidentiality, the names within this fundraiser have been changed and identifying details and photos have been altered or removed to protect those involved.

My name is Samuel M. I work within youth support, helping vulnerable young people and encouraging safe and healthy family connection wherever possible. Through both professional and personal experience, I have seen how life-changing genuine community support can be during times of crisis. Even the smallest act of compassion can help restore hope, dignity, safety, and stability for a family navigating trauma.

A close relative of ours, “Jane Doe,” and her 7-year-old son “David Doe,” have recently escaped a serious domestic violence situation involving multiple individuals connected to the child’s biological father. During this time, concerns arose surrounding the child’s exposure to unsafe environments, including alleged neglect, inappropriate punishment, illegal activity, and ongoing coercive behaviours.

Following intervention and protective action, David is now safely residing with his mother and stepfather. While this outcome has brought relief, the road to recovery is only beginning.

Due to the complexity of the situation, Jane and her family are now facing significant financial strain while attempting to access essential recovery supports and documentation for David. Some government assistance and Legal Aid services are thankfully available; however, many critical supports required for long-term recovery remain either partially funded or entirely out of pocket.

While the estimated figures below reflect urgent and immediate needs, the true cost of recovery from domestic and family violence often extends far beyond initial medical and legal expenses. Many of the most critical supports are ongoing, cumulative, and essential for long-term healing, particularly for children.

Examples of current estimated costs in Western Australia include:

• Dental support for missing teeth: approximately $1,500• Orthodontic procedures: approximately $6,000• Septoplasty and facial reconstructive surgery: approximately $4,500• Psychiatrist assessments for child and mother: approximately $1,600 combined (per session, estimated need of x12 sessions, 1x per month) • Paediatrician support: approximately $450 (per session) • Schooling expenses and educational supplies: approximately $4,200 yearly• Urgent birth certificate release and documentation: approximately $102• Vaginal physiotherapy and trauma recovery supports: approximately $1'800 (Full course)• Chiropractic and physical recovery care: approximately $3'000 (full course)• Dietician support and nutritional recovery: approximately $1'800

Estimated minimum immediate recovery costs currently exceed $40,000 AUD, excluding ongoing therapy, legal proceedings, medication, travel, and long-term rehabilitation.

For children like David, education is not just about schooling, it is a cornerstone of safety, stability, and recovery. Exposure to trauma can significantly impact concentration, emotional regulation, learning ability, and social development.

These supports are not luxuries. They are foundational needs connected to safety, health, identity, emotional wellbeing, child development, and trauma recovery. In many ways, these interventions reflect the very basics of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: safety, physiological wellbeing, belonging, stability, and the ability to heal and rebuild life after violence.

At this stage, we are simply asking for help from community. Whether through donating, sharing this fundraiser, or offering encouragement, every contribution helps reduce pressure on this young family while they focus on healing and creating a safe future for David.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story, and thank you for standing beside survivors of domestic and family violence.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

— Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

With gratitude, Samuel M