The Miranda Project
Please be aware that names have been changed to protect privacy.
Jenny is in her late 30s, a First Nations mother of four children, who comes from regional NSW. Three of Jenny’s children are not in her care. They were placed in care with their fathers out of state when Jenny went into custody for the second time. Final care orders were issued for Jenny’s older children whilst she was in custody.
Jenny was referred to the Miranda Project whilst in custody on remand for a kidnap and abduction charge and an assault charge where Jenny was misidentified as the perpetrator. At the time when she was referred to the Miranda Project, Jenny was 28 weeks pregnant with her 4th child. At the time, the unborn baby’s father was also in custody as a co-accused of the kidnapping charge. Jenny has endured significant intimate partner and family violence, including sexualised and physical violence. She has a long history of childhood and adult trauma and now experiences mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and PTSD. Additionally, Jenny has used illicit substances as a coping mechanism and became dependent on prescription medication for a long period.
During assessment with her caseworker, Jenny highlighted some personal goals for herself. These included addressing her substance use, reconnecting with her 3 older children, retaining care of her unborn baby, securing safe and stable housing, finding employment and obtaining a driver’s license. She also shared that she wanted to relocate to Sydney permanently to keep herself and her newborn baby safe from further harm. Jenny identified that the perpetrators of the violence were her immediate family members and her unborn baby’s father. Jenny’s Miranda Project caseworker supported Jenny to plan for her future, beginning with applications to allow her to have her baby outside of custody, and remain together.
“Being supported by CRC has made me feel that I mattered and given me hope again.”
While Jenny was under consideration for an external leave permit under the women’s diversionary pathway program – that would allow her to leave custody during her remand period – she was bail approved and instead entered a 9-month mother and children’s residential rehabilitation program.
Jenny successfully completed the rehabilitation program and remained in the community under an Intensive Corrections Order (ICO). With the assistance of her caseworker she was approved for priority social housing and maintained stable housing, with additional security measures installed through the Staying Home Leaving Violence initiative. She attends weekly trauma counselling, has part-time work and created connections in local community groups. Stable housing, therapeutic support and community engagement have contributed to her recovery and safety, and Jenny has met her goal of no substance use for 18 months. After successfully obtaining her driver’s license, she has saved for and purchased a car.
Jenny has remained in the community and given birth to her son. She worked collaboratively with child protection services, resulting in the closure of her file and her having full-time care of her baby, now 1 year old and thriving. She receives support from Legal Aid regarding ongoing custody matters. She was able to re-establish contact with her daughters and continues to work towards restoration of her older children. She has been building a safer, more independent life.
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