We're providing women like Aisha* with vital health and support services to regain control of their lives and protect their families during and after domestic violence situations.

This is her story....

Aisha*, is a young Afghanistani woman who came to Australia in November 2016, to marry. She travelled on her own, and had no family or friends here. Aisha’s marriage broke down due to intimate partner violence in 2017, and she sought refuge. She was later relocated to a home where she felt safe from her husband. Aisha was referred to Ishar by her interpreter, while seeking legal advice from a lawyer around March 2019. Aisha was not aware of Ishar or what the services included, and without an appointment, walked into Ishar and spoke with Reception, who referred her to a DV worker.

Aisha has used many services at Ishar including counselling sessions with a psychologist, visits to the GP and sessions with a DV worker. She has found Ishar’s services and staff to be very helpful, and feels grateful for the help she has received. Aisha has also been attending the Domestic Violence Therapeutic Group for the last two months, which she has found to be very supportive. Before coming to Ishar, Aisha was feeling depressed, scared and alone, with no support. The group has helped her to become stronger and more self-confident, in a safe environment. She is now feeling much happier and has also made a few friends through the group.

Accessing resources in the community has been somewhat difficult for Aisha due to the English language barrier, but Ishar has assisted by linking her to community resources. Since leaving her husband, and having more contact with the community such as Ishar, refuge and TAFE, Aisha now feels more confident and has a better understanding of the English language, though she still requires an interpreter when attending Family Court.

Aisha has gained so much from Ishar, such as a safe support network, feelings of regained confidence and security, and has also allowed her to start thinking about her future and what she would like to achieve. Aisha expressed her desire to go to TAFE and enrol in an interior decorating course. Before coming to Australia, Aisha was working as a beautician in her hometown, and she feels she would like to return to the industry. Aisha feels that coming to Ishar has helped her to “blossom like a flower”.

Quote from Aisha:

“Ishar for me same like as new house. Yeah, two house. Another house in my life. One house my mum house, another house Ishar”.

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