Samantha Bruce, with Southern Youth and Family Services CEO Narelle Clay, hopes her recognition at the Community Service Awards will help give more women hope. Photos: Community Industry Group.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to sexual and domestic abuse, self-harm and suicide.
A 27-year-old abuse survivor and fierce advocate has used her own hardship and heartbreak as motivation to improve the lives of others by creating supportive environments, services and spaces for healing and hope within the Illawarra.
Samantha Bruce has experienced trauma for most of her life.
“I grew up in a domestic violence household and experienced quite significant trauma from a young age,” Samantha said.
“I was first hospitalised at 12 and from that … over 500 admissions.
Her experiences both within medical environments and at home left her with further scarring, as she said those in positions of power took advantage of her complex condition and vulnerability.
Samantha became a victim of sexual and domestic abuse by multiple offenders and found herself in controlling relationships, convinced her own mental health and self-harm behaviours were the cause of her situation.
“I just felt out of control because it was my fault for everything,” Samantha said.
“I personally thought I was the problem in the relationship, I thought I was terrible, I’m breaking this man, I’m awful.
“But now I’ve learnt what happened, it wasn’t me, obviously my behaviour of self-harm weren’t healthy or fair on him either, but it was his perpetration that led to that because I was doing quite well for that time prior.
“Because I didn’t even realise it was domestic violence I was going through, I didn’t know how to use my voice.”
She believed she was bound to this inescapable life of abuse and attempted to take her own life.
“I never thought I would make it out. But I’m meant to be here, I realise that now and I’m very fortunate for that.”
A year ago she moved to the Illawarra and was connected to the supports she needed through the NDIS, a private psychologist and psychiatrist.
And the second she saw the light at the end of the tunnel, she was determined to show it to others.
Samantha began volunteering for domestic and sexual violence support organisation What Were You Wearing, then started a small business making candles which helped her donate money to survivor organisations.
She also volunteers and works at Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre, which offers her a platform to support others while receiving paid employment and support from those around her.
Now she’s launched her own not-for-profit organisation called Beacon of Hope Project (BOHP), which is centred around peer support, advocacy and creating safe inclusive environments to empower women.
“It’s about amplifying women’s dignity, purpose and helping create change,” Samantha said.
The organisation is hosting holistic peer-led candle making sessions to help victim-survivors make connections within their community and seek support, as well as an inclusive market event to support the involvement of people with a disability.
“It’s basically making markets accessible,” Samantha said. “The thing is what I saw when I was doing markets – I’m very fortunate to have support now – was many people with disabilities don’t [have support] and there are both vendors and customers who can’t participate.
“So we’ve made stall prices accessible … there’s a section where people can come under our insurance if they have a disability, they’re new to markets or they’re a kid and are new to selling.
“We’ve opened up at the next one a sensory spot so that there will be a space specifically for people to calm down and destimulate.”
Samantha is also dedicated to giving women a voice and sharing stories like her own to help give hope to those who are still struggling.
“To do what I’m doing now is proof that things do get better,” she said.
“That’s my hope for the organisation eventually that we can use all these women’s stories to show others that they’re not alone and that hope is real.”
Although she says she’s just getting started, her work has already received recognition. Samantha was awarded the Individual Impact Award at the recent Illawarra Community Service Awards.
“I was just so immersed in being in a room with so many amazing people in the community and then I heard my name,” Samantha said.
“I was so shocked.”
She hoped the platform of the awards could help reach more people and change even just one life.
“My motto I use every day is ‘turn pain into purpose’ and honestly it is what I live by because the stuff that’s happened has happened I can’t change, but if I can use it for purpose at least it’s been for something.”
Beacon of Hope Project markets will be held on 29 November from 10 am to 2 pm at the Illawarra Yacht Club.
To find out more about the organisation or to reach out, visit the Beacon of Hope Project Facebook page.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
