When Alice* decided to leave her marriage, which had been characterised by subtle coercive control, parental alienation and manipulation, it felt like jumping into the void.
"I left without any money, without any home," she told AAP.
"People didn't understand that I made a decision to leave because what was important to me was mine and my children's sanity. I wanted to break the cycle and I wanted them to see a different life."
While from the outside her home and family life had looked stable, Alice knew she wanted better for herself and her children.
"It was so difficult going through it and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but kids want to see a strong mum, a mum who's able to make a stand," she said.
"I also wanted to have a better, more respectful relationship with my kids and I knew if I stayed (with my husband) it wouldn't happen."
She discovered the EMPower program, run by Melbourne-based homelessness and family violence service Juno.
The program provides up to 24 months of trauma-informed, strengths-based coaching to women, trans and gender-diverse people who have experienced homelessness and family violence.
Alice's experience reflects a reality facing thousands in the state.
In 2024-25, Victoria recorded the highest number of people seeking support after experiencing violence in the nation, with two in five specialist homelessness services clients reporting family and domestic violence.
EMPower is aimed at helping women gain economic independence and ultimately rebuild confidence that was lost during their relationship with their ex-partner, Juno chief executive Tanya Corrie said.
"After family violence, particularly if there is financial abuse involved, there are really serious impacts on women's assets, income and also their confidence," she said.
"When you experience trauma you are in survival mode and operating on adrenaline, so EMPower aims to rebuild skills like forward planning and personal wellbeing, celebrating small wins along the way."
The results of the program have been significant, with participants securing safe housing, increasing their savings and returning to the workforce within 18 months.
For Alice, the program helped remind her of her value as an individual and a mother.
"What do I advise other women who might want to leave? They have to remember who they are and what they're worth," she said.
"That's what I fought for: my dignity, my self-respect, and I wanted to see my children respect me."
*Name changed to protect privacy
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