Real Life | Hazel
We’ve been supporting Hazel* for about three years. Scroll down to read her story.
HAZEL
We’ve supported Hazel* for about three years. Hazel has significant complex needs, is a heroin user, has an enduring mental health diagnosis and has previously been forced into sex work.
Hazel has experienced significant intimate relationship abuse from multiple partners – female and male – which has included sexual abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse and coercive control.
She’s an extremely vulnerable young woman at risk of further exploitation.
Hazel was experiencing daily brutal physical and sexual attacks from her partner, but didn’t have the confidence to contacting the police when she was in danger due to her drug use and fear of being judged for her history of sex working.
Hazel’s support worker invited her to come along to our police clinic and – over a number of sessions – built a relationship with DA officers. They let her know that if they came to the property as a result of domestic abuse, she wouldn’t be arrested for possession of drugs.
When Hazel was a particular risk one weekend, officers agreed to check on her regularly and were creative about things that she could do to alert them that she needed help without putting her in further danger.
Hazel had always declined refuge as she was worried about reprisals from her partner, but the combined support from the police and her support worker gave her the confidence to flee the relationship and she’s now safe in refuge accommodation.
*Name changed to protect the identity of our service user.