Client stories
Client confidentiality and privacy
ECLC highly values the confidentiality and privacy of its clients yet many wish their stories to be heard. No real names are used in the case studies below and some details have been changed to protect client privacy.
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Family Violence
Fatima’s Story
My name is Fatima and I want to thank you and ECLC for providing me with legal help. I would like to share my story, so you understand why the help I was given has changed my and my sons life.
I came to Australia following an arranged marriage in and started living with my husband and his aunt and uncle. I did not know that my husband had a drug and alcohol problem and was committing crime until the police started coming to our house. Drugs, police, crime, court and violence became a normal part of my life in Australia.
My husband’s physical, emotional and mental abuse started as soon as I arrived in Australia. His aunt and uncle became part of the abuse, they controlled where I went, monitored my calls, listened to my conversations and watched over me all the time as my husband’s violence increased. I was in a new country, did not know anyone, had no money and the only people in my life were my abusers and their constant abuse and threats that if I did anything against their wishes, I would be deported. I felt trapped and lost all desire to keep living.
My husband’s aunt and uncle were forcing me to have a baby, told me that if I have a son then my husband will change. When I fell pregnant, they threatened to send me back to Afghanistan and as a single pregnant woman, I will bring shame on my family.
My twin boys, Asadi and Asif, were born and my husband’s abuse increased – only this time it included the twins. He cut himself, destroyed things in the house, hitting and throwing things at me when I was holding my twin babies, using drugs where we lived and kept screaming abuse at us and locked us out. He had guns and other weapons under the bed and committed violent crime. I was very scared for my sons and my life.
He and his aunt and uncle threatened to remove Asadi and Asif and have me deported to Afghanistan and I will never be allowed to see her again. I did everything I was asked to do, just so my sons and I could be together, and I will not be separated from them. My life was like living in a war zone.
After Asadi and Asif were born, they had health problems and I was told this was because of what happened when I was pregnant and continued afterwards. The hospital reported it to Child Protection. I told child protection everything and they worked secretly with me and helped me leave the house with the twins. The police got an Intervention Order against my husband.
I was going to the hospital and had so many medical professionals helping to save Asadi and Asif. I had little to no sleep. I had to work to pay for Asadi and Asif and myself and protect us from my abusers who did not give up despite the Intervention Order. I had no one there and everything was overwhelming and frightening.
My husband and his aunt and uncle took me to court wanting contact with Asadi and Asif. They said that child protection lied, there was no family violence, my husband was free of drugs and Asadi and Asif were not so sick. I needed to fight to save my sick sons from him and his family, I did not know how. I knew that if they had what they wanted I would be forced to return to them to protect Asadi and Asif, and it would be the end to our lives.
I remember the day I came to your office and spoke to the Managing Lawyer; she told me that she has 2 people who will be working on my case. I did not know that these 2 people would help me give my life back and save Asadi and Asif from something so horrible and I start shaking when I think about it.
These two people (family violence advocate and lawyer), they believed in my story, they understood me like I could not even understand myself at the time. I told them everything and they got it. I felt safe for myself and Asadi and Asif. I started to have hope for Asadi and Asif and myself. I listened to every word they said, I trusted every word they spoke, their voices were all I had to work with.
They put my story to the court, and I got the strength from them and knew how to tell my story to the court. I gained so much strength and power from them. I became more determined to save Asadi and Asif and myself and I knew I had the team to help me do this.
The court had been very difficult, we had to fight for Asadi and Asif, there were so many challenges, but I never felt alone in my fight to save her.
My ex-husband and his family continued to lie and deny everything and we went to trial. The orders were made for him to have no contact with Asadi and Asif. I am glad to say that my ex-husband is in prison for his crimes.
The team helped me build the courage and strength so I could face my ex-husband and his aunt and uncle at court. I felt that I had been released from prison and had got my life back and they had no power to control me and Asadi and Asif any longer. I feel proud that I was able to fight for myself and my daughter and this would not have been possible without your staff. I owe my sons and my life to them. Thank you.
After the trial I was able to stand outside the courthouse with the ECLC team and breathe the Australian air, for the first time since I came here. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, and I could hear people’s cheerful and excited voices, as if it was the first time. I told them that I felt for the first time that Australia is my home, and I belong here.
Asadi and Asif and I are safe here and we have a future, and that day was our first day of freedom. I have so much hope and a life of freedom is something that I thought was not possible for us. I am going back to my studies, Asadi and Asif are recovering slowly, it will take some time, but we have so much hope in a life of freedom.
I thank you, ECLC, and the team for everything, words are not enough to give me and Asadi’s and Asif’s life of freedom and hope back.
Lisa’s Story
Lisa was referred to Mabels after expressing concern to her MCH nurse that her partner, Brett had become increasingly controlling since the birth of their first child, Thomas. Lisa was particularly concerned about Brett’s comments that if she were ever to leave him, she, “wouldn’t be taking Thomas with her.”
During her appointment with Mabels Lisa indicated she was not ready to take any action at this stage, and that she didn’t want to separate from Brett. Instead, Lisa wanted to know what her legal options were if his behaviour continued to escalate and she did decide to leave. The Mabels family violence advocate was able to support Lisa to explore the nature of family violence, how it can present, and what services and supports were available.
The Mabels lawyer then explained the role of police and the courts. The lawyer also provided information and advice about Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIO) and Lisa’s family law options in relation to parenting post separation, including how informal arrangements can be facilitated, even with an FVIO in place.
Lisa indicated that she felt better equipped to make decisions about her relationship, with a focus on her own and Thomas’ safety, knowing what her legal options were, if she were to separate from Brett.
Lisa stated felt more confident that if Brett’s behaviours continued to escalate, she knew where to turn for help, and the Mabels lawyer and client advocate summarised their advice, and the services in a follow up email for Lisa for her to access in the future should she require it.
Lowanna’s Story
Lowanna and her two children, Jarrah and Willow, met ECLC’s team through the Mabels program who assisted her to apply for a Family Violence Intervention Order against Willow’s father, Simon. The team then referred her to the SAGE program for more complex support. Lowanna, an Aboriginal woman, was experiencing multiple stressors adversely impacting her capacity to engage with legal processes. Lowanna had a diagnosis of complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), primarily due to extreme childhood neglect, emotional and sexual abuse. Lowanna’s PTSD symptoms had since been exacerbated by persistent family violence perpetrated by Simon.
Lowanna was extremely fearful of losing care of Willow due to previous Family Law proceedings which had resulted in her oldest child Jarrah living with the father. Simon had also repeatedly threatened to have Willow removed from Lowanna’s care and had made numerous unsubstantiated reports to police and child protection alleging she was using methamphetamines and leaving Willow unattended. The repeated contact from police and child protection was particularly distressing for Lowanna because of her own childhood experiences of not having been supported by either agency when in need of protection.
Lowanna’s PTSD symptoms were usually triggered when approaching legal appointments and court events which led to a significant degree of avoidance at critical times when instructions were needed. Consequently, the SAGE Family Violence Advocate and Community Lawyer invested substantial effort in building trust and rapport with Lowanna. This required being sufficiently flexible to schedule appointments on short notice on the rare occasions she was able to engage and maintaining extensive follow-up when she was not. It also meant appointments had to be cut short when Lowanna felt unable to safely manage her distress, and considerable time was spent developing a plan to help her feel supported in her engagement.
ECLC’s Advocate worked hard in supporting Lowanna’s re-engagement with a local Aboriginal support service to facilitate cultural safety and effective collaboration. This included arranging joint attendances at critical legal appointments and court events. Despite this support, Lowanna found it too distressing to provide the level of detail the lawyer needed in order to prepare Further and Better Particulars for her Intervention Order application.
Consequently, with permission, the advocate arranged to secure key information from agencies previously involved with Lowanna. Liaison was also undertaken with Lowanna’s trauma counsellor to facilitate arrangements for particularly distressing content to be provided with her direct support and strategies to support Lowanna through the legal proceedings and enhance her emotional safety.
As a result, the SAGE lawyer was ultimately able to file very detailed Further and Better Particulars, resulting in Lowanna securing a further 12-month
Intervention Order protecting herself and the children. This also assisted Lowanna in her subsequent family law proceedings, with the SAGE lawyer being able to negotiate Final Parenting Orders in accordance with her wishes, without the need for a contested final hearing.
This example highlights the comprehensive and trauma-informed support that specialist integrated services provide women experiencing family violence in facilitating their engagement with the legal system.
The extensive collaboration with the client’s Aboriginal support service also highlights the improved safety, legal and psycho-social outcomes that can result for Aboriginal women when integrated service delivery incorporates an experience of cultural safety and connection.
Elder Abuse
Ray’s Story
Ray, a 78-year-old retired tradesman and business owner, never imagined he would face elder abuse at the hands of his own son.
The abuse began in 2011, when Ray asked his son, Peter, for assistance after his credit card was stolen. Peter used this opportunity to assume control of his father’s finances, presenting himself as a helpful intermediary with the bank. Because Ray was unfamiliar with computers, Peter also set up a MyGov account on his behalf. Instead of supporting his father, Peter redirected Ray’s pension into his own account, listed his own contact details, and ensured that all correspondence was sent online, removing Ray from the process entirely.
Over a period of seven years, Peter systematically misappropriated more than $152,000 of Ray’s pension and fraudulently obtained a further $78,000 in loans under his father’s name. Ray was led to believe that the small allowance Peter provided him was all that remained after bills were paid. To make ends meet, Ray resorted to repairing and selling discarded furniture. The impact stretched beyond financial hardship – Ray withdrew socially, embarrassed to share his situation with friends and restricted in his ability to participate in community life.
To hide his actions, Peter falsified documents, claiming Ray required life-saving equipment so utilities would remain connected despite unpaid bills. He fabricated letters and impersonated government representatives, deceiving Ray into thinking the missing pension payments and frozen bank accounts were being addressed.
In 2020, while Peter was sentenced to prison on other fraud charges, Ray sought support through his local MP’s office. With assistance from his daughter, the deception began to unravel. Despite this, when Ray applied to Centrelink for compensation, his claim was denied on the basis that Peter’s MyGov access appeared legitimate.
At this point, ECLC lawyers and advocates stepped in. The Centre worked alongside Ray to clarify his rights, gather evidence, and navigate a complex system.
ECLC’s Managing Lawyer for Elder Abuse, Paul Were, emphasised the importance of systemic safeguards to protect older Australians.
“It is an absolute no-brainer that institutions should check directly with older people before paying their money into someone else’s account,” Paul said. “In Ray’s case Centrelink never went back to him – and stronger safeguards are essential to ensure this does not happen again.”
Peter was eventually convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding his father. Ray, now protected by an intervention order, has chosen to share his experience to raise awareness.
“You don’t expect your own children to do this,” Ray reflected.
ECLC’s Managing Lawyer – Elder Abuse, Paul Were was interviewed by Robert Arthur on Radio Eastern FM (tag) in acknowledgement of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEEAD) 2025. Listen to the recorded interview here.
Sue’s Story
Sue, a 71 year-old Aboriginal woman, had experienced long-term elder abuse from her adult daughter Cheryl, whom she loved very much. Cheryl had moved in with her some years ago. She was using illicit substances and was in and out of incarceration.
Sue wanted to support her daughter and make sure she did not end up living on the streets. But sadly, over time, their living situation became unmanageable and unsafe for Sue – but she didn’t want to ask Cheryl to leave because she was worried she would end up homeless.
Out of desperation, Sue moved into crisis accommodation. She was responsible for paying rent at both properties – her new crisis accommodation and her unit where her daughter was staying – but she couldn’t keep up with the rent payments. One of her landlords took her to VCAT to try and evict her, and her crisis accommodation was only short term. As a result, she was facing financial ruin and homelessness.
Sue was referred to the ROSE program. ROSE worked with Sue for more than a year, providing her with legal, psychosocial, and financial counselling
support.
The ROSE program:
- Successfully had the landlords withdraw the VCAT proceedings
- Secured more than $10,000 for Sue so she could pay her outstanding rent arrears
- Had some of Sue’s other debts waived to lessen the financial strain she was under
- Provided ongoing safety and wellbeing support to Sue, and
- Facilitated referrals to other services to support Sue, including a housing service which helped Sue find a new, safe house to move into.
By the time ROSE and Sue had finished working together, Sue had no debt remaining, she had secure housing, she no longer faced legal proceedings, and she felt empowered to make decisions to look after herself rather than solely prioritising her daughter’s wellbeing.
Andrea’s Story
Background
Andrea is 72 and has been living as a single parent on a property in the Yarra Valley ever since her husband died shortly after her son, Don, was born. Her now adult son has always lived with her. He previously accessed mental health services around ten years ago, which he found somewhat helpful at the time, but stopped engaging with mental health services after having a negative experience in an inpatient unit. He does not agree that he is unwell and refuses any treatment or medication. He is not interested in receiving any further mental health support. He often uses drugs to feel better, including in Andrea’s house, which she has asked him not to do. He has refused to move out and Andrea does not want him to be homeless.
Andrea feels intimidated at times by Don, and he is not contributing financially or around the property. She finds his behaviour threatening, and it is escalating. Don is frequently angry and will stand over Andrea, yelling at her. Andrea is intimidated by Don’s friends, who are often at the property. They eat her food and do not clean up after themselves, no matter how many times she asks them. Sometimes they get drunk and swear at her or bang on her door.
Recently Andrea needed to have surgery on her knee, and while in hospital she mentioned her concern about Don’s ability to cope in her absence. Hearing Andrea talk about how apprehensive she was about talking to Don or returning home, the hospital social worker referred her to ELSA.
Response
The ELSA advocate visited Andrea in the hospital, as Andrea said she felt safe there and preferred to meet face-to-face. When Andrea described Don’s
behaviour, the advocate explained how this could be considered elder abuse. Together, they set up a video call with the lawyer, who outlined Andrea’s
legal options. Andrea was worried that if she got an intervention order, Don would be homeless.
She decided to write a short letter with the lawyer, explaining to Don that she had spoken to the ELSA service and outlining what she found difficult about living together. Andrea left this letter on the kitchen table for Don to see.
After reading it, Don’s behaviour changed, and he calmed down and backed off. The advocate spoke to Andrea about her concerns about managing the property, and they made a phone call to set up a My Aged Care assessment together. Andrea would not have known how to do this if not supported by the advocate.
When the ELSA and ROSE intake worker called Andrea to do an exit survey, Andrea said that she now had someone coming to help with home and
garden maintenance, like cleaning the gutters. After receiving the letter, Don was worried about what would happen if he stayed living with Andrea and so he moved out and shared a house with a friend. The relationship between mother and son has been much improved, although Andrea is concerned that the share house arrangement will not last and about what might happen in the future if Don needs to move back home.
Andrea’s story is from the Final evaluation of ECLC’s ROSE and ELSA service trials undertaken by La Trobe University, RMIT University and the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). See eclc.org,au/elderabuse
Community Law
Talia’s Story
Talia was referred to ECLC by a key agency partner. Talia is a single mother of three young children aged under 5 with special needs. Talia consented to receiving holistic integrated practice support with the additional expertise of ECLC’s client advocate. The client advocate supported Talia’s emotional and psychosocial needs and the community lawyer focused on the legal matters.
Talia’s legal matters included criminal law issues. Talia herself was a victim of recent and previous family violence. In the course of her engagement, Talia disclosed that she found it difficult to control her emotions and behaviour when she heard her ex-partner’s voice over the phone. She was particularly angry that she was charged by the police when they had both breached the Intervention Orders and questioned why he could get away with his behaviour when he had been so seriously violent towards her.
Talia had found it hard to engage with services, and her relationships with them often broke down. This could have related to her early childhood experiences where she had experienced unstable family relationships and limited parental care.
The client advocate provided Talia with support including regular phone calls, to be the consistent person including encouraging her to stay engaged
with external supports she was at risk of disengaging from. As a result, Talia stayed engaged with these supports and continued her commitment to attend appointments.
Following months of building rapport, Talia’s outbursts of anger reduced in her engagement with ECLC. The community lawyer assisted in consolidating Talia’s legal matters from numerous different mainstream courts and having them all transferred to a specialist court.
ECLC supported Talia to attend the specialist court hearing in person where she had a positive experience. In further hearing dates, the specialist
court accommodated Talia’s needs as the carer of young children and was able to provide the option of attending an online hearing.
ECLC supported Talia to go through additional mental health assessments, explaining that the court cared about her mental health and wanted to ensure she received the support she needed. ECLC advocated for Talia to have the assessment done online and Talia completed the assessment.
Talia was supported for her online sentencing hearing at an ECLC office space that caters to parents and children. Talia had a very positive experience with the specialist court which acknowledged her profound life trauma including her adverse childhood experiences and commended the great work she has put into engaging with services.
Talia received the sentence of a short Good Behaviour Bond. This was an excellent outcome as it was possible that she might receive a Community Correction Order considering the offences she had been charged with.
ECLC was honoured to work with Talia and to witness her strength and determination. She was very grateful for ECLC’s support and continues to see a therapist for ongoing treatment.
Sally’s Story (Victims Legal Service)
Sally is a young mother with a young child who is a victim of sexual violence. When ECLC first started talking to Sally, she was fearful and not comfortable to engage with the Centre’s legal team at all. With patience and reassurance from ECLC’s Client Advocate, the Victims Legal Service Lawyer was included into the appointments with Sally.
Over time, Sally appreciated the wraparound service so much that she became comfortable to meet with the Lawyer on her own. ECLC was successful in supporting Sally to have a Council fine withdrawn and handle VOCAT matters on her behalf.
The holistic, trauma informed approach of ECLC’s Client Advocate and Lawyers helped Sally ease her fears and feel supported whilst also obtaining successful outcomes.
Leah’s Story (Deakin Student Legal Service)
Leah, an international student living in Australia for around two years, came to Deakin Student Legal Service for advice after she moved into a share house.
The head tenant started making unreasonable demands of Leah. Within three weeks, the head tenant asked Leah to move out because they said it was unsafe for her to stay. Leah was also advised that the bond she’d paid would be withheld for professional cleaning. ECLC’s community lawyer found that no bond had been lodged for the share house.
The lawyer advised Leah that the rental provider was in breach of tenancy laws. Leah took the information she’d been provided and spoke with the head tenant again, preparing a letter in case her bond wasn’t returned.
On the day Leah moved out, the head tenant returned the full bond to her and she was satisfied with the resolution of her tenancy.
Ali’s Story (Deakin Student Legal Service)
Ali is an international student at Deakin University who just arrived in Australia. He had planned to find a job to support himself while he studied but his applications were continually rejected because of his limited experience and English language skills. He applied to an advertisement on Gumtree as a “Customer Service Representative” and within a few days, received an email saying he’d got the job. He was sent a formal-looking contract, which he signed, and he sent back with a copy of his passport and his personal details.
The next day Ali received a phone call welcoming him to the company. The woman on the phone explained that she had his first task for him. He was required to receive money from a customer into his personal bank account to be transferred onto their headquarters in Italy. An amount of $5,000 would be deposited into his account in a few hours, and Ali could keep $500 as payment. Ali did as he was instructed and transferred $4,500 to an individual in Italy via Western Union.
Two days later when Ali tried to pay his bills online he found out that he had been locked out of his account. When he visited the bank branch he was told that his account had been closed due to money from compromised accounts being illegally transferred into his account.
The Deakin Student Legal Service lawyer gave Ali advice about scams, and supported him to contact the Police, Scamwatch, and his country’s consulate to alert them about his compromised passport details. The lawyer also assisted Ali with writing a statutory declaration that could be passed onto the bank to reopen his account, and also to provide an account of what happened to Police.