Domestic violence survivors find their voice through art

By Grace Nakamura

ABC Southern Qld

Topic: Art

Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 8:59 am

Elizabeth's paintings won an award for the most inspirational artwork.

This article talks about domestic violence, which may be upsetting for some readers.

Elizabeth had not painted in years because she was dealing with domestic violence.

She was trying to protect herself and her three children from the bad situation.

Elizabeth's artwork shows her journey to freedom from domestic violence.

Her paintings are a series of three, called Journey to Freedom.

Elizabeth said she still sees some darkness in her pictures, but she is learning to move on.

She said that even though the bad times do not completely go away, she is learning to survive and move forward.

Elizabeth's paintings won an award at a domestic violence art show in Toowoomba.

About 80 artworks were on display, made by women and children who experienced domestic violence.

One painting was made by an 11-year-old girl, showing a sad face with two hearts.

The girl's artwork was meant to tell her mom and other moms that they are loved and should not cry.

The girl said she saw her mom and dad fighting, which made her sad.

The art show shared the stories of people who experienced domestic violence.

In Queensland, more than half of the reported assaults in 2022-2023 were related to domestic violence.

Nationally, one in four women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner or family member.

The true impact of domestic violence is often only seen in the words of the people who experienced it.

More than 80 artworks were displayed at the domestic violence art show.

There are support services for people who experienced domestic violence.

Belinda Vadalma from the Women's Wellness Centre said that everyone has been affected by domestic violence in some way.

She said that even if someone has not experienced domestic violence directly, they may know someone who has.

The Women's Wellness Centre in Toowoomba helps about 70 women who experienced domestic violence.

Belinda Vadalma said the centre sees women who are broken, but they find the strength to rise up and take care of their children.

The idea for the art show came from one of the counsellors at the centre.

The art show was meant to honor the voices of people who experienced domestic violence, especially children.

One artwork was submitted by an eight-year-old girl.

Belinda Vadalma said it takes bravery for people to share their stories through art.

The centre keeps the stories of the people who submitted artworks safe and sacred.

Art can be a way to heal for people who experienced domestic violence.

Kerry created her artwork in a place of grief and anger after her court case ended.

She said her abuser got what he wanted, but she was left with the weight of defeat.

Kerry's artwork, called Flayed, represents how she felt during the court process.

Her piece shows how she felt stripped raw by the system's failure.

Kerry said her file was lost during the investigation, and her requests for support were ignored.

She said her artwork speaks to the loneliness of surviving violence and being hurt by the system.

Kerry said creating the artwork was a healing process for her.

She said creating the piece for the show helped her to be seen and heard.

Kerry decided to create the artwork so people could understand her experience.

She said being seen and heard is powerful for survivors, and it helps them to move forward.

No one deserves to live in fear.

In the art show, there was a tree with slips of paper that had hurtful words written on them.

The words were things that the artist's abuser had said to her.

At the bottom of the tree, there were purple flowers blooming, representing the artist's recovery.

The artist said the words no longer control or intimidate her, and they do not define her.

She said she has her spark back, and she is blooming and growing like the flowers.

No one deserves to live in fear.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 8:59 am

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There are support services for people who experienced domestic violence.

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