Angela’s Story

After years of abuse at the hands of her husband, Angela and her family started creating new and safe memories together and while working on healing from their trauma.

Jannawi have been supporting Angelas family, including three children aged 4, 8 and 10. The children live with their mum, Angela. Jannawi received a referral from child protection workers to support the family’s healing and recovery after Angela experienced a particularly severe assault by her husband and the father of the children.

Angela had experienced extreme domestic and family violence, including spiritual and cultural abuse. The day Angela left, she had been held hostage and locked her in her bedroom for days. Her husband had assaulted her so badly Angela thought he would kill her. This was just one episode of many, which had occurred over many years.

Angela managed to phone Police in the middle of the night when her husband was asleep. The family home was raided, and the father was charged with numerous offences, after Angela was taken to hospital and found to have severe physical injuries including broken bones. Her husband was kept in prison for over a year until his sentencing. Angela was brave and able to attend court and give evidence against him and he was sentenced for a significant period. Jannawi supported Mariam through the complex court process, talking with police and explaining her legal options regarding divorce and child custody. Court support was crucial, as Angela was extremely fearful of repercussions. Angela has since begun divorce proceedings.

Angela began to trust Jannawi and her views shifted to be more positive and healthier. She had been brainwashed to not speak to, or trust, outsiders, including teachers at school.

The father had used a great deal of spiritual abuse. He was his children’s teacher of religion and used misinformation and myths to teach them falsehoods. This led to significant fear in the children. He also physically and verbally abused the children while teaching them and taught the children to mistrust others outside the family.

Jannawi staff were open and honest with the children and helped teach them the positive aspects of their religion, addressing any myths and extreme ideology, and supporting their connection to their faith so it was protective and a comfort. Jannawi also explained and supported the role of teachers and education, counteracting the mistrust the father had instilled in Angela and her children.

Angela and her family moved and started creating safe memories. They attended family group sessions at Jannawi to talk about what they have experienced, and Angela showed enormous courage to sit and listen to the experiences of her children, who she thought she had protected from much of the violence.

Angela and her children are one of the strongest family units we have worked with. They have endured a lot together, but also have done a lot of growth and healing together too.