Escape to Better Foundation focuses on pre-crisis guidance for people experiencing domestic violence and intimate partner abuse.
If you are in danger or need urgent medical attention, please contact your local emergency services for help.
Our Resources
Knowing when, if or how to leave an abusive relationship is complex. You may feel very alone, overwhelmed and unsure. We understand because we have been where you are now. But through lived experience, we also know that making the courageous decision to leave is the first step to transitioning from a victim to a victim-survivor.
To help you gain clarity on what’s right for you and why you should leave, Escape to Better Foundation offers a range of support tools and guidance. Some resources are free of charge while others are offered for a nominal fee.
When you purchase one of our resources, a proportion of the fee is returned to us so we can assist more people.
We’d love to hear from you if these support tools have helped you or someone you know. Please send us your confidential feedback here.
We also welcome your suggestions for additional support tools and guidance so we can include more resources to help you.
If you can, please DONATE so we can continue to assist victims and victim-survivors of domestic violence.
Conversations of Hope
This is a series of short videos where our co-founder, Karen Anderson speaks about her experiences and the lessons she learned when her life partner became abusive. They are honest, powerful and sometimes emotional.
Karen’s abuse began on Christmas Day 2003 and since then she has worked hard to rebuild her life and fill it with joy. This video series is suitable for people:
This video series is offered free of charge.
Planning your Escape
This downloadable Escape Guide is designed to assist victims of domestic violence plan and implement a sustainable escape from intimate partner abuse and domestic violence.
With the benefit of hindsight, our co-founder now recommends victims leave their abuser as fast as they can. But we recognize this is easier said than done. That’s why this Escape Guide suggests you have 4 different escape plans in place.
Why so many?
Because the reality is, you may need to leave urgently or spontaneously so it’s important to have escape options in place.
The Escape Guide is offered free of charge here.
We have another, more detailed escape guide underdevelopment but we need funds to make it a reality.
Please help us make this advanced Escape Guide a reality so we can help more people live a life that’s better, safer and free from abuse.
What’s Important to Me Now
A short, yet powerful online course to help you identify YOUR personal priorities. Designed by professional life coach, Sue Maitland PCC, this course has helped 100’s of people around the world, plan and execute transitions aligned with what matters most to them.
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction is the biggest step of your life.
We believe this is especially true when escaping from an abusive relationship and starting to rebuild your life.
We recommend the What’s Important to Me Now course to victims and victim-survivors who would like professional support to achieve a sustainable escape from abuse, based on their life goals and priorities. This online course provides you with a safe and confidential space to think about YOUR wants and needs. The online course usually takes just a couple of hours to complete and by the end, you will have clarity on what matters most to you, with an action plan to get you there.
Included with the course are virtual Mastermind Calls. These live online group sessions will be led by course creator, Sue Maitland, who will share tips, tools and techniques to help you implement the changes you want to make to your life. During each Mastermind Call you’ll have the opportunity to share your successes in a warm and welcoming environment. You’ll also receive support and encouragement from others who, like you, are transitioning into living their best life too!
We also recommend What’s Important to Me Now to anyone who may be feeling a sense of overwhelm and wants to take control of their life but doesn’t know where to start.
Each course includes a money back guarantee (see website for more details) with a portion of all sales given to Escape to Better Foundation.
I’m Safe App
The personal safety app designed for victim-survivors of domestic violence
I’m Safe is a FREE and powerful app that converts your phone into a personal safety device and evidence collecting tool.
Using innovative technology, the I’m Safe App provides:
- SOS Alerts: Instantly alert the people you choose to be your emergency contacts. Use this feature when you are feeling nervous or fearful but contacting the police or emergency services doesn’t seem appropriate. SOS Alerts will notify the people you trust to come and assist you – providing them with live location details, audio and photos.
- Track Me: Share your real-time location with trusted contacts for added security during commutes or outings. This is particularly useful if your abuser stalks or harasses you while you are rebuilding your life.
- Anonymous Recording: At the touch of a button, you can discreetly capture audio, photos and location data without drawing attention. It assists in evidence gathering and can be taken to the police or used in legal proceedings.
- Fake Call: Schedule a simulated call to smoothly and discretely escape uncomfortable situations.
- Helpline Access: Provides quick access to essential emergency hotlines, ensuring help is just a tap away.
- Bluetooth SOS Tags: Trigger an SOS alert without using your phone, offering an additional layer of safety with a simple press.
The I’m Safe App is secure, confidential and absolutely FREE for women to download.
Regain control of your life and safety. Download the I’m Safe App today.
Jim Ryan, a former police officer and Certified Havening Practitioner understands the impacts of trauma and domestic violence.
Online Trauma Recovery for domestic violence survivors
Feeling haunted by emotional scars after leaving an abusive relationship? This Online Trauma Recovery can eliminate the triggers that cause distress.
Are you still haunted by the trauma and impact of living in an abusive relationship?
You may have left your abusive relationship and rebuilt your life. But that may not eradicate the trauma of domestic violence in all its forms. If you still:
- Feel haunted by past, traumatic experiences
- Experience panic attacks or high anxiety over minor things
- Feel stuck, paralysed or unable to complete the healing process
- Find everyday events triggering
- See a future filled with fear
We encourage you to consider a trusted, trauma reduction technique called Havening.
Havening is a fast acting, gentle and long-lasting modality that’s designed to remove encoded trauma created by stressful life events.
It takes away the triggers that cause distress, even if you still need to deal with your abuser due to financial or parenting arrangements.
How does Havening work?
Havening is a psycho-sensory technique that removes encoded trauma from your mind and body. It uses a gentle methodology that’s been shown to quickly deliver results in just 1-2 sessions. At the end of your treatment, you will feel empowered and able to move beyond your past, to build a future free from the burden of negative, past experiences.
We recommend Jim Ryan, a Certified Havening Practitioner and former police officer who understands the impacts of trauma and domestic violence.
Other things to know
- Each Havening Session runs for up to 90 minutes.
- Your Havening session can be conducted online or at Jim’s Adelaide wellness clinic called Breathe Stretch Float – the choice is yours.
- Havening Sessions don’t receive Medicare or private health insurance rebates in Australia. However, we believe the cost is very reasonable and Jim will discuss the cost with you during your introductory call.
Would you like to talk to Jim to see if Havening could help you?
Please complete the form below and Jim will be in touch.
Pre-court Trauma Recovery
Online help for Victim-Survivors anxious about an upcoming court appearance or court mediation
The fear of facing the person who abused, controlled, intimidated or threatened you is enormous. It’s common for people to describe this type of encounter as paralysing. So willingly facing this person as part of a court appearance or court required mediation session can feel too difficult to contemplate. Adding to the pressure is the importance of having a successful outcome.
That’s where Havening can help you manage your anxiety.
Havening is a gentle, scientifically proven, drug-free therapy that works quickly, providing sustainable results.
We recommend Jim Ryan, a Certified Havening Practitioner and former police officer who has worked extensively with victim-survivors of domestic violence.
There are many benefits to undertaking Havening prior to a court appearance or mediation, including:
- Empowering you with a clear and positive mindset so you can standup to your abuser
- Reducing your fear and anxiety about giving evidence
- Giving you the confidence, strength and resilience to speak your truth
Things to know about pre-court or pre-mediation Havening
- Jim recommends you complete your victim impact statement before you undertake Havening.
- You can expect great results after just 1 or 2 sessions.
- Each Havening session lasts up to 90 minutes and can be conducted either online or in Jim’s Adelaide wellness clinic, called Breathe Stretch Float.Havening therapy doesn’t receive Medicare or private health insurance rebates in Australia. However, we believe the cost is very reasonable and Jim will be happy to discuss the costs with you during the introductory call.
Would you like to talk to Jim to see if Havening could help you?
Jim Ryan, a former police officer and Certified Havening Practitioner understands the impacts of trauma and domestic violence.
Guide to help someone experiencing domestic violence
What do you say if someone tells you they are experiencing domestic violence?
If someone confides in you that they are living in an abusive relationship, it’s natural to feel shocked, even if you suspected they were in an unhealthy relationship.
So what do you say and what do you do if someone you know tells you they are experiencing domestic violence? Open our guide to find out.