What domestic and family violence survivors need most is a friend who will listen, believe them, and support them.

When it comes to breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence, small acts of support make a powerful difference.

Simply listening and believing a victim’s story, and offering practical help, could be the lifeline that helps someone break free, even saving their life.

Lilly McKeich is a National Domestic and Family Violence Specialist with the Salvation Army, which helps more than 10,000 people a year in situations of violence.

Lilly says that what victims need most, is to be heard.

“The most powerful thing you can do is definitely listen and believe someone,” she says. “[Because] situations of abuse are so often characterised by silencing and by isolation.”

It’s also vital to respect a victim’s choices, rather than ‘taking charge’.

“Don’t try to rescue someone [or] try to engage the [perpetrator],” says Lilly. “Respect that someone is an expert in their own situation…don’t interrogate them or tell them to leave or anything like that. You can support someone to access a service. Small acts like that can be a real game changer.”

Halting Disrespect Before it Becomes Violent

Working to bring change from another angle is Dave Kramer, ambassador for Small Steps for Hannah. Dave founded the HALT Program, which teaches high-school students about respectful relationships. He’s on a mission to stop disrespect in its tracks.

“Our prevention programs are about the context around violence,” Dave says.

“[We teach people that] we can actually show up as friends, family members, colleagues or even peers in school. [We can] show up at that point of disrespect, and prevent it from getting to the point of abuse.”

The Power of an Act of Kindness

Stacy Jane is a domestic abuse survivor. She fled her partner in the UK, and was brutally attacked when trying to retrieve personal belongings from her home.

She later established Escabags, an Australian charity that provides free escape bags for abuse victims.

“We know that the most lethal time is when a victim is trying to escape, because the perpetrator knows that they’ve lost all control,” Stacy explains. “[Escabags provides] that practical solution… so that they don’t have to go back into the family home.”

What finally helped Stacy to leave her partner, was the kindness of friends who were willing to listen and support.

“Those people would have been well within their right to say, ‘it’s none of our business’… however [they didn’t]. My story is about the power of a random act of kindness… and the ripple effect that that can then go on to have.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or distress, please call 1800 RESPECT, or Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Article supplied with thanks to Helping Hands TV.

About the Author: Helping Hands is an Australian produced TV program that airs on 9GEM, Channel 9 and 9NOW, and showcases people and organisations who make the world a better place.

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NDIS funding changes are increasing pressure on families. Here are practical ways churches can support people with disability and their families.

According to ABC News, the NDIS minister Mark Butler said funding amounts for social and community participation would be “reset” to 2023 levels, around $500 a week, with measures aimed at preventing further “runaway growth”.

Budgets for social participation activities are expected to be progressively reduced from October this year, pending the passage of legislation in June. These supports often fund group programs, outings and community engagement, meaning many families could face fewer opportunities for connection and inclusion.

As formal supports shift, the role of the local community becomes even more important. Churches are not only a place to worship God, but also a place of belonging. This creates an opportunity for churches to step in with practical care, inclusion and genuine connection.

Create a culture of welcome

Inclusion starts before any program begins.

In practice, this can be as simple as having a team that is attentive and prepared, greeting people personally, offering help in a natural way and making it clear who to approach for support. Some churches create quiet or sensory-friendly spaces where people can step out if needed or ensure there is consistency in who families interact with each week so trust can build over time.

Jesus consistently made space for those on the margins. Churches are called to reflect that same heart.

Make spaces accessible

Physical accessibility is essential. This includes ramps, accessible bathrooms and clear signage.

Accessibility also goes beyond buildings. It includes how services are structured. Clear communication, predictable routines and sharing what to expect ahead of time can help reduce anxiety. Small adjustments such as lowering volume levels, providing captions for online content or simply making spaces easier to navigate can make a significant difference for someone trying to engage.

Train and equip volunteers

This might look like running simple workshops, offering practical guidance on communication or creating a clear approach to how volunteers can respond when someone needs support. One of the most effective ways to learn is by listening directly to people with disability and their families, allowing real experiences to shape how a church responds.

Volunteers can also access formal training online. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission offers free courses and certifications that help build understanding and practical skills when supporting people living with disability.

You can explore training here.

Support the whole family

Families of people with disability often carry a significant emotional and physical load.

Support can extend beyond Sunday services. It may include pastoral care at home, personal catch-ups during the week, involvement in small groups or simply spending time together and studying the Bible in a more informal setting. For many families, these moments of connection outside the church building are where real support is felt most deeply.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV)

For many families, this kind of consistent and relational support is what makes the greatest difference.

Involvement in church life and serving

Inclusion is not just about access. It is also about being part of something.

Often, when people are given the opportunity to give rather than only receive, it shifts the focus away from limitations and towards purpose and contribution.

This can mean adapting roles, creating space for different abilities and recognising the value each person brings into the life of the church.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

When everyone has a place, the whole community becomes stronger.

A community that reflects Christ

While systems like the NDIS play an important role, they cannot replace the power of genuine community.

For churches, this is an opportunity to reflect the love of Christ in practical ways. To see people, to include them and to walk alongside them.

Where a church may not have the resources or programs to meet every need, there is also value in looking beyond its own walls.

In a time when some supports are being reduced, the presence of a caring and consistent community can make a real difference in everyday life.

This article was prepared with AI assistance and then carefully reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by our Digital Team.

Article supplied with thanks to Salt 106.5.

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The NDIS support that helps a Paralympian live independently, on and off the sporting field.

“To have such a high level of support that I need when I travel overseas … then to be able to go home at the end of the day and have my own independence but still have someone I can call if I need them in my alone time is something that I really treasure,” shares Paralympian, Jamieson Leeson.

Jamieson is joined by Laura Cowell, CEO of Australian Operations at TLC Disability Services; and Dr. Louise Gosbell, disability researcher and advocate, to explore the topic of disability and support.

In 2024, disability support funded by the NDIS enabled Jamieson to train for and reach one of her biggest life goals yet; to compete at the Paris Olympics in the sport of Boccia. With several medals to her name from this and other domestic and international tournaments, NDIS support and the high level of care it provides to Jamieson is enabling her to accomplish many of the same life goals as those who don’t live with a disability.

At an organisational level, the purpose of the NDIS is to do exactly that, agrees Laura Cowell.

“The NDIS is a government initiative … (It) is really about empowering people to reach their goals to live their best life. It provides the ability for people to access the support and services they need to do that.”

However, despite NDIS support, many barriers still exist for those living with a disability, explains Louise, which prevent them from being able to participate in life’s activities on an equal basis with others.

These barriers, she says, tend to fall into one of three categories;

1. Obvious – E.g. failure to include disability-appropriate accessibility such as wheelchair ramps or accessible toilets
2. Communication barriers – E.g. no captioning on social media videos
3. Attitudinal barriers – resulting from poor understanding of disability and limited experience

Considering the extensive barriers people living with disability face, Louise asserts that it’s not enough to only support disability at an institutional level. All of us have the ability – and the responsibility – to learn more about the difference we can make in our own spheres of influence and put those good intentions into action.

“I always like to think about hearing the voices of people with disability … hearing from them (about) what we can do to make this better … where I have influence on a personal level as a mother, as someone in a workplace, as a researcher – using the tools and the experiences that I have to the best of my advantage to be able to make a difference.”

We must also not forget, encourages Laura, to care for the carers – for those who come alongside people living with a disability to support their needs in every capacity. Their important roles are vital to the challenge of enabling those with disability to live their best life, and we must ensure that their physical, emotional and mental health is also adequately monitored and cared for.

Jamieson, who has the support of a one-to-one carer every day, completely agrees.

“I wouldn’t be leaving my house if it wasn’t for my carers every day, so to ensure that they’re just as healthy as I am … they play a pivotal role in making sure that I am succeeding in life, it’s crucial for them to be healthy and fit.”

Article supplied with thanks to Helping Hands TV.

About the Author: Helping Hands is an Australian produced TV program that airs on 9GEM, Channel 9 and 9NOW, and showcases people and organisations who make the world a better place.

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I recently floated the idea that regret should be a signpost not a home, and in this post I would like to explore the counsel to wear your failure like a flag.

It was the proverb given to me many years ago by a trusted mentor, Jim Johnston, who I continue to rank as one of the wisest people I have ever met. I spoke to him about a difficult situation I found myself in. By instinct I am a bit of a people pleaser and hate the idea that I might let anyone down or disappoint them. For people pleasers like myself, a dreaded position is to be forced to make a decision knowing that if you go one way, you will disappoint one group of friends, and if you go the other, you will disappoint another. And you can’t avoid making the decision.

“Regardless of what others think, what do you think you should decide?” Jim asked. Strange as it might sound, the idea was new to me – to preference my own view over what I thought others wanted. The question echoed the words of Polonius to Laertes in Hamlet:

“This, above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow, as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

While there is wisdom in that, I remain aware that my own whims are not always noble. I am wary that personal preference might simply become an excuse for self-indulgence.

“But this isn’t about self-indulgence,” Jim said. “This is about what you think you should do in this situation. You can take the views of others into account, but it is you, not them, who must live with the decision.”

I made my decision – which involved a job change and a major relocation. Some thought I had failed at what I had been doing. But Jim’s counsel went deeper. “Don’t just brush this under the carpet,” he said, “wear your failure like a flag.” It sounded strange at the time. Surely we should hurry away from failure. We write CVs to trumpet our successes, and hope no one questions them too thoroughly.

The Respect Trap and the Power of Vulnerability

So why wear your failure like a flag?

Here is an interesting truth – perhaps even another proverb in the making. People respect us because of our achievements, but relate to us because of our vulnerability. Sometimes we need to ask what matters more – respect, or relationship? And what if the respect others have for us comes from not really knowing us all that well?

If your goal is respect, you carefully manage your image. You tell selective stories. You appear human by sharing a mildly self-deprecating anecdote (especially if you live in Australia, the UK or New Zealand, where self-importance is swiftly squashed), then subtly let people know you are actually quite impressive. You exaggerate your success stories.

Of course it is lovely if people respect you. But respect can be a lonely companion. It survives only if you keep guarding your stories. It cannot handle your shadow self – and the truth is, we all have one.

Wearing your failure like a flag is not about celebrating failure for its own sake. It is about embracing honesty, vulnerability, humility and a willingness to grow.

When Weakness is Strength

There is a paradox to failure. Our disqualifying stories often turn out to be the ones that qualify us.

Why?

Because failure draws us into the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “when I am weak, then I am strong.” It sounds upside down, but it is soberingly true. Only when we are conscious of our frailty do we truly depend on God’s love and provision. For most of us, that kind of trust is our plan B – “when all else fails, trust God to pull you through.” The reality is, dependence on God is best as plan A (and B and C – the only realistic plan for life).

Honest Souls and Squeaky-Clean Illusions

When we are honest, we give others permission to be honest too.

Years ago, a woman at my church said to me, “Brian, there are so many lovely people in this congregation. But it’s a tough place for someone like me. I haven’t always had my life together. I’ve made more mistakes than most. I’m grateful for the forgiveness and new start I’ve found in Jesus, but I’m not sure I fit in. Everyone seems so squeaky clean.”

I gaped in disbelief. I knew so many of the stories. “Squeaky clean? It just isn’t true,” I replied. I added, “You know, some of them probably assume the same thing about you.”

“Surely not,” she said.

“Why wouldn’t they?” I asked. “They see you in your Sunday clothes, looking like a seasoned churchgoer. What else would they think?”

She paused. “Perhaps it’s time for us all to be a little more honest,” she said.

Spot on, I thought. Wear your failure like a flag.

Dust and Breath: The Paradox of Being Human

I never tire of recounting the creation of the first human in Genesis 2:7 – “the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” The imagery is so rich. What does it mean to be human?

The passage makes it plain. To be human is to be formed from the dust of the earth and filled with the breath of God. The first speaks of our frailty and vulnerability (we are dust), the second of our infinite value (we are breathed into by God). In one verse, we are told how small we are, and how majestic. Both are true.

So I do not need to run from my “dust of the earth” stories – because I know that on the other side of that story is the God-breathed truth. God has given me new life. Add to that the forgiveness offered through the Cross of Calvary, and our conversations can be real, rich, hope filled and affirming.

So wear your failure like a flag – for when you are weak, the astonishing strength of God is close at hand.

Article supplied with thanks to Brian Harris.

About the Author: Brian is a speaker, teacher, leader, writer, author and respected theologian who is founding director of the AVENIR Leadership Institute, fostering leaders who will make a positive impact on the world.

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Caring for a loved one is one of the most selfless roles a person can take on.

Yet, many people providing care don’t even recognise themselves as carers. They see it as just helping out a family member or friend. However these unpaid carers are crucial in supporting Australia’s most vulnerable people.

Who Are Carers?

In Australia, there are millions of unpaid carers. Deb Childs, CEO of Helping Minds explains, “Providing care or support to a loved one, a family member, or a friend without financial compensation is what caregiving is about.”

Carers do many things, such as:

• Taking family members to medical appointments
• Helping with housework and shopping
• Providing emotional and social support
• Assisting with daily needs, especially in aged care or disability support

Often, people don’t realise they are carers because they see it as part of their family responsibilities. But these duties go above and beyond normal family roles, especially when someone has a serious illness or disability.

The Challenges Carers Face

Carers juggle many responsibilities, which can lead to burnout. “The biggest challenge is burning the candle at both ends,” Deb says. Many carers also have jobs, children, or other commitments, making it difficult to balance everything.

Self-care is crucial. “You need to put on your own oxygen mask first,” Deb explains. If carers don’t look after themselves, they risk emotional and physical exhaustion. Stress, anxiety, and even depression are common. Lack of sleep and social isolation can also affect their health.

The Financial and Employment Struggles of Carers

Many carers struggle financially. Government support exists, but it’s often limited. “There’s the Carer Gateway, which provides access to counselling, education, and peer support,” Deb says. However, not everyone qualifies, and respite services are scarce.

Employment is another challenge. “Sometimes a caring role impacts your job,” Deb explains. While some workplaces offer flexibility, not all do. Carers may have to take personal leave, but “ten days a year isn’t enough if you’re balancing full-time work with full-time caring.”

The Need for More Support

A surprising number of people take on caring roles. “It’s estimated that 11% of the population are carers,” Deb shares. That’s about three million Australians. Yet, many remain unrecognised for their efforts.

Carers need more support, including better access to respite care. “There used to be great respite programs,” Deb recalls. “But when NDIS came in, things changed. Respite wasn’t recognised at first, but now people are pushing to bring it back.”

Advocates are working to ensure carers receive the support they need. “We need to keep raising awareness,” Deb urges.

Warning Signs of Carer Burnout

Caring for a loved one can be a deeply rewarding experience, but it also comes with significant emotional and physical demands. Many carers do not realise the toll their role is taking until they are overwhelmed. Recognising the warning signs of burnout and accessing available support is crucial to maintaining both personal well-being and the quality of care provided.

Carers often become so focused on the needs of their loved ones that they neglect their own. Some common warning signs include:

• Isolation – Being so caught up in daily responsibilities that you lose social connections.
• Exhaustion – Feeling constantly drained and lacking energy.
• Declining Invitations – Avoiding social events or neglecting personal interests.
• Feeling Overwhelmed – The sense that your responsibilities are never-ending.
• Neglecting Self-Care – Skipping meals, exercise, or personal downtime.

If these signs sound familiar, it may be time to reevaluate your approach to self-care and seek support.

Prioritising Self-Care

One of the most common mistakes carers make is thinking, “I’ll just push through one more day.” However, continuing without taking breaks can lead to full burnout, making it impossible to continue providing care. Prioritising self-care is essential. This can include:

• Taking time to relax, such as having a cup of tea or engaging in a hobby.
• Maintaining a strong support network of friends and family.
• Setting aside moments for activities that bring joy and relief.
• Seeking professional support when needed.

Available Support Services

Carers do not have to navigate this journey alone. Various organisations provide assistance, including:

• Helping Minds – Offers counselling, advice, and a self-care blog with practical tips.
• Carer Gateway – Provides information and support tailored to carers.
• Local Support Groups – Community groups that offer companionship and shared experiences.

Final Thoughts

Caring for someone is a significant responsibility, but it should not come at the expense of your own well-being. Recognising the signs of burnout, taking proactive steps toward self-care, and utilising available support services can help maintain a healthier balance. Remember, looking after yourself enables you to provide the best possible care for your loved one.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

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