Stories from the Top End

All families need good health, good food and good housing to be happy and healthy. This can be difficult, however, when money management is a challenge. At one of our sites in northern Australia, the FPW and NHV noticed that ‘Same Day Loans’ at interest rates of 40 to 120% were used in the community, but they were very poorly understood. For example, one of the mums in our program had recently paid back $500 on a $150 dollar loan. In partnership with the FPW, the home visiting team has been helping ANFPP families to better understand these loans, penalties, interest rates, and what other options are available. At the FPW’s request, this information was also shared with the wider community. This education opportunity helped our ANFPP families and the community. It was especially successful because of the FPW’s relationships with the community and the level of trust she has established. The flow on effect of this education cannot be underestimated.

Domestic and Family Violence is hard to talk about and act against. In remote communities, it can be extra difficult for mums who have limited supports and few people they trust enough to report to. One young mum (A) found the courage and trust to disclose her experience to her NHV, reporting her fears for her ongoing safety when at her partner’s home. This was only possible because of the trusting relationship developed with A through multiple visits and contacts. The NHV was able to support and advocate for A during this painful journey, helping and empowering her to deal with the police and department of human services to find a safe place to stay for herself, her baby and the baby’s grandmother. 

There were other outcomes from this story too. Initial interactions with the police weren’t very positive, so the ANFPP contacted a female Police Sergeant who then became involved in the case. She turned out to be extremely helpful and empathetic. This Sergeant made sure the young mum was protected, and kept the family and ANFPP team informed during the process. Later, this same police officer visited the ANFPP office, improving understanding between the police and ANFPP staff and demonstrating to the FPWs the positive role the police can play in DFV situations.

The ANFPP team kept up their visits with A when she moved to her new accommodation. Eventually, isolation, homesickness and the need for her family drew A back to her community, where she experienced violence from her partner once again. This time, however, she had the confidence and knowledge to get police assistance more quickly.

ANFPP mums are encouraged to follow their heart’s desire for themselves and their children. One young NT mum shared her dream “to grow her girl up in a place where she could learn to be kind, loving and gentle”. She and her Nurse Home Visitor have been talking about the community she lives in, how small children can act out what they see others doing, and simple steps this mum can take to support her daughter with good role models and examples.

As she was leaving her client’s home, a NHV was thanked by a new born baby’s father for the information she’d shared. The Nurse Home Visitor had just completed a visit with mum, bub, dad and other family members. As they chatted by the car, this new dad talked about what they’d learnt on ‘Shaken Baby’. It was the first time he’d heard this important story, and he shared plans to pass the story on to other family members and friends. A home visit like this one, built on trust, makes it possible to discuss difficult topics openly. What the new mum learns can spread through the family and reach the whole community.