Refuge offers a sanctuary for Gold Coast’s growing domestic violence victim numbers and their pets

THE Sanctuary Women and Children’s Refuge was a lifesaver for Bella and her best friend after suffering domestic violence and being diagnosed with cancer

Domestic violence victim 'Bella', who has stage four cancer and lives in a refuge, with Simone Patterson, director of The Sanctuary.

WHEN Bella eventually escaped an abusive relative and found refuge at a domestic violence sanctuary, she thought her life had finally changed for the better.

However, it was not to be and a week later, the 50-year-old was diagnosed with aggressive, stage four cancer.

That was two months ago and she is now undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatment in a desperate fight for her life.

Her new home is The Sanctuary Women and Children’s Refuge where she and her beloved dog are safely hidden away.

Bella (not her real name) said the abuse started a year ago and made her life miserable.

“I then lost the job I had had for eight years and I was homeless,” she said. “It was a very difficult time.

“I tried so many places and refuges, but none of them would take my dog. I don’t have any children, she’s my child and I couldn’t just give her away so that I could get accommodation,” Bella said.

“I’ve had her for nine-and-a-half years.

“This place saved me. It’s amazing what they do here and the volunteers help us to become a lot stronger in ourselves. We get a lot of help and support here. It’s not just a roof over my head.”

Bella said she had initially been diagnosed with ovarian cancer but this had spread to her stomach and other parts of her body.

“I am taking one day at a time. I haven’t asked the doctors about my prognosis,” she said tearfully.

The Sanctuary director Simone Patterson said Bella would stay at the refuge for as long as she wanted to.

“She’s trying to fight the cancer as best she can,” she said. “Mentally, she’s strong but physically she is not well a lot of the time and is bedridden for days at a time.

“She really needs an electric lift chair, which costs between $1500 and $1800, which we are trying to raise funds for,” she said.

“We have moved her into one of our two new family units so that she’s not exposed to too many germs.”

Mrs Patterson said when Bella arrived, she hadn’t been well for months.

“She said she couldn’t focus on her health and just wanted to get away from her situation. Now she feels she can breathe again and get help for herself.”

The Sanctuary opens its doors to domestic violence victims and their pets, as a way of reducing their trauma after fleeing their homes. Taking in victims’ pets also prevents the animals from being hurt or used as a weapon of control.

“Having their pets here, keeps our clients happy and not on antidepressants to treat the separation anxiety caused by being separated from their pets,” Mrs Patterson said.

She and her husband were motivated to open the refuge and register it as a not-for-profit charity, Retreat For Kids, after reading too many media reports about women being killed in domestic violence incidents.