Leaving an unsafe home is the hardest step, and it is rarely the last one. Many people leave with almost nothing and then face the practical problem of rebuilding a household from empty. Support exists for that part too.
If you need help right now: in an emergency call 000. For confidential family and domestic violence counselling, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, available 24 hours. In NSW you can also call the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463. For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The part people do not talk about
Most conversations about domestic violence stop at the moment of leaving. What follows is less discussed and often just as overwhelming: a property with no fridge, no beds, no washing machine, and children who need normality restored quickly.
Replacing a household costs thousands of dollars, at exactly the moment when income is often disrupted and savings are inaccessible. This is not a failure of planning. It is the predictable shape of leaving.
Where to start
- Specialist DV services. 1800RESPECT and the NSW Domestic Violence Line can connect you to refuges, safety planning and casework, and their staff know the local system well.
- A caseworker. Once you are working with a support service, they can make referrals on your behalf, including to charities like ours.
- Centrelink crisis payment. Services Australia offers payments for people who have left home due to family violence. Ask a social worker at Services Australia.
- Legal support. Legal Aid NSW and Women’s Legal Service NSW can advise on ADVOs, housing and family law matters at no cost.
How House of Sadaqa can help
Our Family Support Program provides the physical things a home needs: a fridge, a washing machine, beds and mattresses, furniture and household essentials. For a family starting again in an empty property, those items are the difference between surviving and settling.
Support is referral-based, so a caseworker or support service submits a request on your behalf. If you are not yet working with a service, contact our team and we will help you find the right starting point.
If you are supporting someone
Practical help is often more useful than advice. Offering storage, transport on moving day, help assembling furniture or simply being reachable can matter enormously. Avoid pressing someone to leave before they are ready, since leaving is a period of heightened risk and is best planned with a specialist service.
You can also help fund this work. Every donation to the Family Support Program helps another family set up a safe home.
Frequently asked questions
What help is available after leaving domestic violence?
Specialist services such as 1800RESPECT and the NSW Domestic Violence Line can arrange safety planning, refuge and casework. Services Australia offers crisis payments, Legal Aid NSW provides free legal advice, and charities including House of Sadaqa provide household essentials.
How do I get help setting up a new home?
The House of Sadaqa Family Support Program provides whitegoods, furniture and household essentials. Support is referral-based, so ask a caseworker or support service to refer you, or contact our team for guidance.
Is there a cost?
No. Support through the Family Support Program is free to families assessed as eligible.
Do I need to be Muslim to receive help?
No. Support is based on need, not faith or background.
Who can I call right now?
In an emergency call 000. For confidential 24 hour support call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463. For crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Support the work behind this article
House of Sadaqa is a registered Australian charity helping local families in crisis with household essentials, whitegoods and emergency relief. There are three direct ways to be part of it:
- Donate, with donations over $2 tax-deductible
- Volunteer your time in the warehouse, on outreach runs, or at events
- Clear a NSW fine through a Work and Development Order
You can also support us without donating a cent, simply by choosing one of our social enterprises. Each one puts its profits back into supporting families:
- Goodwill Connect, NBN internet for Greater Sydney
- Panda Paper, premium bamboo toilet paper delivered to your door
- The Goodwill Laundry, self-serve laundry in Bankstown
- The Goodwill Shop, our op-shops in Revesby and Bankstown