Saranya, a 45-year-old woman from Thailand, embodies the meaning of her name—“defender”—symbolising strength and resilience.

Raised by her grandparents in Thailand, Saranya experienced early adversity when her mother left when she was just five years old. At the age of 12, her mother returned, and together they relocated to Australia in pursuit of a new beginning.

Saranya reached out to our service in deep despair, trapped in a cycle of fear and pain. She was struggling with her 16-year-old son’s verbal abuse, feeling utterly abandoned by her husband, who dismissed her concerns and undermined her parenting. Her heart ached as her younger children, aged 10 and 12, distanced themselves, leaving her feeling invisible and unloved.

Referred to us by the Mental Health Service after a heartbreaking attempt on her life, Saranya’s story unfolded—a story of resilience buried beneath years of silent suffering.

She first met her husband through friends when she was 16, and re-connected with him again when she was 20, after helping him out when he was collapsed outside a pub. In that moment, Saranya chose to help him, unaware that this decision would entangle her in a future of emotional and physical torment.

Early in their relationship, Saranya’s ex-husband became very jealous of her male work colleagues. Saranya thought that his jealousy was a sign that he loved her and it was his way of trying to protect her. She didn’t realize that jealousy was an early warning sign of domestic violence.

At 21, she was forced to make an agonizing decision—to terminate a pregnancy due to financial struggles. Through her 20s, she sought refuge in travel, but upon returning home, she became pregnant again. What should have been a joyful milestone instead deepened the cracks in her marriage. Arguments escalated, and the emotional abuse intensified.

With the birth of their three children, Saranya found herself carrying the weight of an entire household—managing the home, raising the children, and even handling her husband’s business and finances. All the while, he sat on his phone and treated her like a servant. When she sought help, he belittled her, branding her a bad mother, too strict, too controlling. Each word chipped away at her self-worth.

Then, the ultimate betrayal—just before her hospitalization, Saranya discovered his affair. Returning home, she found herself painted as unstable and unfit, her own children turned against her by his manipulation. Desperate, she wrote a love letter, pleading for change, clinging to hope that he would see her pain.

During counselling, Saranya came to a heartbreaking realization: she had endured relentless physical and emotional abuse. With the help of the learning about domestic violence, using the Power and Control Wheel, she uncovered the painful truth. She had been living in an abusive relationship for 25yrs. Saranya reported that her ex-husband had broken her fingers, assaulted her during pregnancy, used strangulation, damaged her property (including her much treasured vase given to her by her Grandmother), and made horrific threats against her life. She wept as she whispered, “I didn’t think what I was going through was violence because he didn’t leave any marks.”

Saranya was confused about what love truly meant. Through counselling, Saranya realised that their relationship was not based love. Her ex-husband did not love her. He wanted to control her. Saranya learnt that abuse is not love & that love is built on respect, trust, and kindness, while abuse thrives on control, fear, and manipulation. Saranya’s heart broke the moment she realised that his words and actions were not love; they came from a desire to manipulate, control and dominate her.

When her husband convinced her that he could care for the children better than she could, she made the impossible choice to leave them with him. The pain of separation was unbearable, but she felt powerless to fight back.

After a month of being on her own, her youngest children returned to her. Over time,  they recounted the horrors they had endured with their father. Her children felt like they could finally talk because they felt safer with out their Dad around. Saranya knew she had to act. She found the courage report the abuse to the police, pleading for an ADVO, but her cries for protection went unanswered. In desperation, she sent messages to her ex-husband, detailing the abuse, only for her ex-husband to twist her words against her. He then went to the police and they arrested her charged her with harassment & gave him an ADVO to protect him from Saranya. Sadly the police never read what was in those messages.

For months, Saranya fought for justice. During this time, the police came to her house 15 times to conduct “welfare checks” orchestrated by her ex-husband. Fear became her shadow, but she refused to be silenced.

In December, her nightmare reached a harrowing peak—her ex-husband threatened to take her life and that of his own mother. Their son bravely reported him to the police, leading to his arrest. And yet, the ADVO Saranya had begged for still wasn’t granted.

During a counselling, Saranya found the strength to advocate for herself. With the support of her Counsellor, Saranya spoke with a Domestic Violence Police Officer, who listened to her fears and all of the abuse she endured for 25rys. After months or torture, Saranya went from being misidentified as the perpetrated to a victim that needed protecting. Finally, justice was served—her ex-husband was denied bail, and she was granted the protection she so desperately needed.

Now, Saranya is no longer just surviving—she is healing. Her children are safe, receiving therapy to process their trauma, and she is rebuilding the pieces of herself that were shattered.

Saranya’s journey is one of unimaginable hardship, but also one of resilience, courage, and hope. With every step forward, she reclaims her life—one filled with strength, love, and the promise of a brighter future.

Sally, a devoted mother of two teenage children, had endured immense hardships. Trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage, she lost her sense of self-worth. The passing of her beloved father three years ago deepened her loneliness. Sally described herself as extremely shy and thought other people described her as boring.

Despite her struggles, Sally’s goals coming to Counselling were to feel confident, experience joy, step out of her shell, and maybe, find love again. But social anxiety, the daunting responsibility of parenting teenagers, and the exhausting symptoms of menopause left her feeling overwhelmed and hesitant to take the first step.

Through counselling, Sally learnt how to:

✨ Manage symptoms of anxiety – Sally learned to pause and recognize her thoughts as mere signposts rather than absolute truths. She practiced:

• Accepting her thoughts and feelings, even when they were difficult.
• Staying present during social interactions without judgment.
• Identifying her core values and taking action towards them.
• Embracing new experiences with an open heart and a willingness to change.

bracing “the change”. – Sally’s menopause symptoms had been silently amplifying her struggles. Constant irritability made her feel disconnected from her children. “I was snapping at the kids for little things,” she admitted. With support, she visited a GP and was prescribed HRT, which significantly improved both her mental and physical well-being.

✨ Finding Her Voice – Sally had always dreamed of learning how to sing, but fear held her back. As she built confidence, she finally took the leap and joined a singing class. As she sang, Sally learnt that she wasn’t just using her voice—she was reclaiming her power. After her first performance in front of a small group, she felt an overwhelming sense of pride.

✨ Opening Her Heart Again – After a decade of staying away from dating, Sally went on her first date in ten years. Though it didn’t unfold as she had hoped, the experience itself was a victory. It showed her that she was ready to try, ready to believe in love again, and most importantly, ready to embrace new beginnings.

✨ Strength in Parenting – Setting boundaries with her teenagers felt impossible at first, but Sally stayed firm. Over time, the changes she implemented helped her children grow into more responsible and respectful young adults.

✨ A Future Full of Possibilities – With newfound confidence, Sally is excited to return to cycling, an activity that once brought her immense joy and freedom. She entered counselling feeling broken but after a few months she emerged stronger, wiser, and more confident than ever

When 30-year-old Jane first reached out to CCCWHC, she was drowning in the depths of severe post-natal depression. The birth of her now four-year-old daughter had brought immense love but also overwhelming darkness. She desperately wanted to feel better but couldn’t shake the relentless self-doubt that had followed her all her life.

In her first counselling session, Jane opened up about a lifelong battle with low self-esteem and a persistent sense of not belonging. She questioned what was wrong with her, why she never seemed to “fit” anywhere. She was also finding it difficult to hold down a job and was worried that if she lost her new job they would be in financial hardship. Jane said that when she was at school, she was always told that she was "lazy and needed to try harder" Despite years of therapy, she still felt like there was something wrong with her.

At the same time, Jane was navigating the stress of a new job, where she struggled to complete tasks, constantly feeling overwhelmed and confused. Every day felt like an uphill battle.

As a mother, she adored her daughter but felt inadequate—constantly second-guessing herself and giving in to her demands because she didn’t know how to handle her distress. She worried she was failing her, failing herself, and failing those around her.

Through counselling, Jane embarked on a journey of self-discovery and she began to see herself in a new light.

✨ Emotional Awareness – Jane learned how to name and express her emotions  in healthier ways, rather than suppressing them. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel without fear, finding safety in her own vulnerability.

✨ Discovering Clarity and Self-Worth – Anxiety often stems from uncertainty and a lack of direction. As Jane explored her core values, she rediscovered her love for painting and gardening—activities that aligned with her values of kindness and creativity. By embracing these passions, she found a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. No longer seeing herself as “broken,” she recognised being resilient and  creativity were strengths to be proud of.

✨ Owning Her Confidence as a parent – One of Jane’s biggest transformations was in setting boundaries with her daughter and her husband. Jane was fearful that if she said “no” to her daughter that she would have a meltdown and she wouldn't be able to handle it. She was also worried that she would appear to be unloving or too strict. Jane also felt like she didn’t know what to do when her daughter was having a meltdown. Jane was desperate to be the perfect mother & seen as having it all together.  Over time, Jane learnt that setting boundaries with her daughter, was teaching her about respect and responsibility. Jane started to feel more comfortable saying “no” to her daughter, knowing that even if he gets upset, she will be OK. Jane said “I now know I am a good enough mother.”

✨ A Life-Changing Diagnosis  A pivotal moment in Jane’s journey was the discovery that she had been living with undiagnosed ADHD. During a counselling session, her counsellor discussed the symptoms of ADHD in women. This conversation prompted Jane to seek further evaluation, leading her to book an assessment with a Mental Health GP and subsequently a Psychiatrist. For years, Jane had blamed herself for feeling scattered, overwhelmed, and different.

Receiving her ADHD diagnosis and starting medication has significantly improved her life. After starting stimulant medication and a contraceptive pill, Jane has experience significant improvements in areas that were previously challenging can now better concentrate on completing tasks both at home and work, feels calmer, and no longer experiences emotional turbulence. She can think more clearly about her responsibilities, which has enhanced her organization and reduced procrastination. Additionally, the Psychiatrist identified that Jane had been living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), which causes extreme psychological and emotional distress in the two weeks leading up to her period.

In counselling, Jane was able to learn strategies for creating new habits, a routine and make lifestyle changes. She is also seeking more support from her husband and dedicating time to creative projects.

“Being diagnosed with ADHD has been life-changing. Starting medication was like putting glasses on I can now think more clearly and the fog inside my head has gone”. Jane also said counselling has had “a positively impact on my parenting and my relationship with my husband. Jane also said that she now knows that taking care of herself—physically, emotionally, and mentally—makes her a better parent, and that no matter what she is “good enough” and “I can now cope with anything that comes my way. I’ve got this!”

With five events spanning five days in recognition of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) is giving all women and girls a reason to March Forward as it continues to advocate for equality, accessibility and safety for all women and girls on the Central Coast.

CCCWHC CEO Sara Foster says as the Coast’s largest women-focused charity and provider of affordable physical and mental healthcare services for women, CCCWHC staff experience firsthand the challenges faced by women in our community.

“In our organisation, we see the challenges women and girls face every day. We see so many women coming to our organisation seeking support. While on one hand, IWD celebrates how far we’ve come, we must also recognise the challenges that remain. We know women around the world still face systemic barriers to safety, health, and equality,”
says Sara.

“Domestic and family violence continues to devastate lives, access to essential health services is still unequal, and women—particularly those from marginalised communities - continue to fight for their voices to be heard.

“Despite the struggles, we as women continue to rise. We see it in the women who walk through our doors every day—women rebuilding their lives after violence, women reclaiming their health, women finding the courage to ask for help.

“This year’s IWD theme of March Forward reminds us that progress is not just about reflection but about taking decisive, bold steps to turn our commitments into action. This is our moment to drive change and ensure a truly equal future for all women and girls.”

Foster says IWD shouldn’t be a tokenistic occasion for businesses and the broader community, but a pause to reflect on the advances that have been made by the generations who came before us and a real opportunity to advocate for continuing progress for women and girls everywhere.

“IWD gives us a reason to celebrate the incredible progress that generations before us have fought to make for women everywhere. From securing the right to vote to advocating for bodily autonomy, from challenging workplace discrimination to creating safe spaces for women to heal and thrive, every step forward has been made possible by the strength and courage of those who came before us,” adds Sara.

“But progress isn’t just about history—it’s happening right now, and we can all take part by advocating for the rights of all women. Progress happens every time a woman seeks support, every time we stand up for justice, and every time we empower each other. To march forward and turn promises into progress, the movement must include all women.”

CCCWHC partnered with various organisations and businesses in honour of IWD to create awareness and funds to help create safe and healthy futures for women and girls on the Central Coast. Events included:

• Partnering with Narara Community Centre, CCCWHC hosted an IWD celebration for its members, community partners and clients featuring multi-award-winning singer, songwriter and female empowerment activist Melinda Schneider presenting ‘Be Gentle on Yourself.’
• CEO Sara Foster presented the keynote address at the Community & Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN) IWD Breakfast event at Mingara Recreation Club, with all proceeds going to Because We Care Boutique.
• Meraki Hospitality Group and Coasties Magazine joined forces in support of CCCWHC for an exclusive IWD luncheon for women of the Coast held at Little Miss Mezza, West Gosford.
• Hardy’s Bay Club and CCCWHC raised funds and awareness for vulnerable women and girls featuring a number of female entrepreneurs and advocates from our local community.
• CEO Sara Foster was invited to present at Shaw and Partners financial services firm in Sydney to offer education and awareness around how corporations and community can work together to help women everywhere march forward.

To help create safe and healthy futures for women and girls on the Central Coast, become a member of CCCWHC be emailing hello@ccwh.org.au. Please click through if you need to access support, services or would like to make a donation.

Who is CCCWHC?
We are the largest and longest-serving provider of holistic women’s healthcare on the Central Coast. Established in 1976, our mission is to provide safe and healthy futures for all women and girls on the Central Coast.

We operate from three locations — Wyoming, Wyong, and Woy Woy — offering free or low-cost health and support services for women across the region. Our tailored programs focus on breaking cycles of violence, intergenerational trauma, and social disadvantage.

Who do we help?
Last year, CCCWHC helped close to 3,000 women and their children on 8,815 occasions through its women’s health and community nurse clinics, counselling and casework, and therapeutic and social groups. This included 1803 new women, speaking to the growing need for these services in our region.

Media Enquiries:
Alison McLeod
CCCWHC Head of Partnerships and Communications
Phone: 02 43242533 / 0490 084 322
Email: alison@ccwh.org.au