Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre
At the heart of Sydney’s grassroots response to supporting women transitioning from prison stands the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC). This leading trauma-informed service provides crisis support, accommodation, and wrap-around support to some of Sydney’s most vulnerable women and their children. In addition to providing immediate aid, WAGEC confronts broader issues such as domestic violence, homelessness and gender inequality, with the goal of securing safe futures for women and their families.
Through our partnership, WAGEC has launched the FROM NOW program. FROM NOW is a new approach to supporting women exiting prison, with special support for pregnant women or those with children, guiding them towards safety and stability. We value our collaboration with WAGEC and encourage you to explore their powerful work by visiting their website.
Personal stories /
Rebuilding stability for women caught in the justice system
After enduring severe coercive control, family separation, and incarceration, 46-year-old Belinda was referred to WAGEC’s From Now program. Despite having no criminal history prior to her relationship and the subsequent abuse from her ex-partner, she faced multiple arrests.
Lengthy family court proceedings led to the sale of her home and assets, driving her into homelessness for the first time. She had no alcohol or drug dependency and was known as a ‘gold standard’ mother of three with a clear criminal record until recently. During her incarceration, her eldest son was moved to a youth refuge, and her two younger sons lived with her ex-partner.
When her Parole Officer referred her to From Now, she had ‘no trust left to give,’ having been let down by systems many times before. However, during her engagement with the program, WAGEC built rapport and trust, listening to Belinda’s needs and acknowledging all she had been through.
Feeling safe and heard in the From Now house, she was able to reconnect with her university and reestablish her learning plan to study law. The safety of the house also allowed her to rebuild her bond with her 15-year-old son, who was able to attend school regularly and rebuild trust with his mother. We facilitated contact with her children and supported her to seek education and employment opportunities.
From Now secured transitional housing for Belinda and her 15-year-old son, providing them with 12 months of stability. She has since secured part-time work, continues her studies, and is building a legal case to gain access to her two younger children. She described her interaction with the program as the ‘sliding doors moment that saved my mental health from complete disintegration.’ Entry into From Now was the first step in her healing, recovery, and eventual re-entry into the community.
WAGEC’s Case Managers continue to work with Belinda weekly, with the intent of securing long-term accommodation and pursuing trauma counselling to further her healing journey.
Belinda’s name has been changed for privacy.