Reaching Out and Supporting You Every Step of the Way
Overcome the obstacles you’re facing
We understand that seeking help can be challenging, which is why The Girls Refuge offers Outreach Support services. Whether you’re unable to access our other programs or prefer support in your own environment, our Outreach Support team is here to provide personalised assistance, guidance, and resources to help you overcome the obstacles you’re facing.
Who is it for?
Safe and supportive crisis accommodation for young women and gender non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, aged 12-17 who are experiencing trauma or instability in their home situation.
What's the process?
Initial Contact
Reach out to us through our helpline, email, or online form to express your interest in our Outreach Support services. Our friendly team will respond promptly and confidentially, ensuring your privacy and providing a supportive starting point.
Assessment and Support Planning
Our Outreach Support team will conduct an initial assessment to understand your specific needs, challenges, and goals. Together, we’ll develop a support plan tailored to your individual circumstances, focusing on addressing your immediate needs and working towards long-term stability.
Individualised Assistance
Benefit from personalised support and assistance based on your unique situation. Our Outreach Support team will provide guidance, information, and referrals to appropriate resources and services in your community, helping you access the support you require.
Advocacy and Empowerment
We believe in amplifying your voice and advocating for your rights. Our team will support you in navigating systems, such as educational institutions or government agencies, and ensure that your needs and concerns are heard and addressed.
Regular Check-ins and Follow-up
Our Outreach Support team will maintain regular contact with you, checking on your progress, providing ongoing support, and making any necessary adjustments to your support plan. We’re committed to being there for you every step of the way.
Building Resilience and Skills
Through our Outreach Support services, you’ll have access to resources and tools designed to enhance your resilience, develop essential life skills, and promote your overall well-being. We’ll provide guidance on coping strategies, self-care practices, and personal development to empower you on your journey.
Remember, at The Girls Refuge, you’re not alone. Our Crisis Accommodation, and Outreach Support services are here to provide the support, care, and resources you need to overcome challenges, build a brighter future, and realise your full potential.
Success Stories
Lizzy
Lizzy first presented to The Girls Refuge at the age of 14 due to family breakdown. Lizzy was in a situation where the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) were unable to work with and support the family, and the family were not willing to relinquish their parental rights.
As a result, Lizzy has been moving from crisis refuge to crisis refuge and has moved four times in an eighteen-month period.
Lizzy is now 16 years old, does not have the emotional or practical skills at this stage to live independently, and will need to develop these quickly to secure transitional or long-term accommodation.
If Lizzy had been able to remain in the first crisis service she accessed, her circumstances would have greatly improved. She would not have been at risk of re traumatization through changing services, having to retell her story over and over, or continually developing new relationships with staff and clients. This also can have negative impacts on family restoration, with the consistent changing of services and support staff, working not only with Lizzy but with her family.
Lizzy is a good example of why we need more supported medium to longer term accommodation options for under 16s. This case shows that continuum of care models are critical to enable soft transition from crisis services to transitional services and then on to longer term accommodation.
Susie
When Susie arrived at TGR she had been transient since the age of 12, experiencing homelessness due to significant domestic and family violence perpetrated by her father. Susie’s mother has her own existing mental health struggles and has often verbally abused Susie as a way of coping with this. Susie has a tumultuous relationship with her separated parents and often found herself needing respite by couch surfing when things became volatile at either home. Upon arrival at TGR, Susie was completely disengaged with school, had a longstanding history of self-harm and suicide ideation, and was having consistent mental health presentations at hospital every 3 to 4 days.
During her time at TGR, Susie has been able to learn about her trauma responses and has worked hard to manage her triggers. The safe and settled environment of TGR played a huge role in Susie feeling safe and settled within herself and we saw that her presentations to hospital became less frequent (and now non-existent). Susie can use her safety plan effectively before things become too overwhelming. Susie is now enrolled, attending, and receiving A grades at school and Susie has also just been accepted into transitional accommodation.
Ruby
Ruby is a 17-year-old of Middle Eastern descent who was exited from an unsafe situation where her family were supporting an upcoming arranged marriage. The AFP removed Ruby and moved her across the state to The Girls Refuge. Ruby presented with distress and was having difficulty comprehending the situation due to a development delay. Ruby expressed suicidal thoughts and was hospitalised for 3 days in her first week at the refuge. Ruby has remained at the refuge for 5 months due to limited exit opportunities. Given Ruby’s age and vulnerabilities she is unable to live independently and the only option for TGR was to secure Ruby a place at a women’s shelter. Ruby will move into the women’s service on her 18th birthday. TGR have been able to support Ruby to register and attend school, have provided safe and supportive accommodations, assisted Ruby to build her living skills, supported her to access counselling and stabilised her mental health. Ruby has had no further admissions to hospital and has made tremendous growth in her time at TGR.
Keen To Know More?
Our friendly team today are ready to answer any questions you may have and help you get the support you need.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal land in which we live and practice and the cultures that here gather; our ancestors and future generations. We embrace anti-oppressive feminist practice, holding the hope of creating safety-centred positive change.