Julia’s Story

Julia* has an unbreakable spirit. While she has faced serious hardship, Julia’s story is one of survival and hope, inspiring us all to continue the fight for justice for all people seeking asylum. We have been privileged to walk alongside Julia on her path to safety and permanency in Australia – and we want to thank you for helping to make this hope a reality.

* Julia’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

Julia was forced to flee her home country due to political persecution. After the kidnapping of her husband and oldest son, Julia’s two youngest sons managed to escape to a neighbouring country, but Julia was unable to make the journey.

With access to a visitor visa for Australia, Julia was able to fly to Sydney, where she then made a claim for asylum. Like many women who visit our specialist Finding Safety Project, Julia’s journey did not end there.

Humanitarian protection applications can take many years, if they are granted at all. During this time of uncertainty, people seeking asylum are often left in limbo, enduring extremely limited access to financial, medical, or housing support – and unable to gain independence without access to work or study rights.

For women in Julia’s position, this can be a very dangerous time, where women seeking asylum face a severe and very real risk of gender-based violence.

Julia knows this too well. After re-marrying an Australian citizen, and taking on full-time caring responsibilities for her step-children, Julia endured several years of domestic violence. Her husband attempted to exploit her temporary status to coerce her into silence – but Julia did not remain silent.

Fearing for her life, Julia made the impossible decision to leave her relationship, and face homelessness.

With no knowledge of English, no work history in Australia, and no money, Julia struggled to navigate a complex maze of insufficient support systems.

At this point, Julia was introduced to our Finding Safety Project, where specialist SGBV caseworkers offer guidance, community support and referral services to women seeking asylum who are experiencing violence.

We work to empower women like Julia to find safety for themselves and their children, and we advocate for legislative and policy change.

Julia’s caseworker helped secure safe accomodation in a refuge, provided Julia with emergency relief payments, arranged for winter clothing through Thread Together, and connected Julia with social activities at our one-of-a-kind Women’s Space.

Julia was also referred to IARC for legal advice, a psychologist to support her trauma recovery, ESL classes to improve her confidence speaking English, and our Employment team to begin building a pathway to independence.

We have spent a number of years at Julia’s side, and we are thrilled to share that Julia has recently obtained her permanent residency and is now a proud Australian citizen, and a lifelong member of our JRS family!

“I’m forever grateful for the support I received from the JRS Finding Safety team… who helped me regain my independence and stand on my own feet again.”

Thank you for making our work possible.

Your donation ensures that people like Julia are accompanied during their hardest times.

If you are in a position to do so, please consider making a gift to JRS Australia, and supporting refugees and people seeking asylum this Autumn.