Stepping Out Program

29/08/2026

💜 Healthy Relationships Workshops for Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Relationships can be tricky when your early experiences have shaped what you learned about trust, boundaries, safety and connection.

Our six trauma-informed Healthy Relationships workshops are designed specifically for women survivors of childhood s*xual abuse.

💜 This week, we’ll explore FRIENDSHIP - how to make friends, how to keep them, recognising trust and creating healthy boundaries.

Each workshop is stand-alone, because we know that not every topic will be relevant to every woman.

✨ Choose the workshops that speak to you. You can attend one, several, or all six — there’s no expectation to do the whole series.

Come along, learn something new, reflect on your own experiences and connect with other women who understand.

Registrations are essential and spaces are limited so please register for each workshop you would like to attend.

🌿 You choose what feels right for you.

28/08/2026

A big thank you to Club Ashfield for investing in women’s safety, independence and financial wellbeing 💜

We’re thrilled to have received $15,000 from Club Ashfield to deliver our "Trauma-Informed Financial Empowerment and Scam Prevention Program" for vulnerable women who have experienced childhood s*xual abuse (CSA) and domestic, family and s*xual violence (DFSV).

For many survivors, financial abuse, exploitation and scams can be a continuation of patterns of control and vulnerability experienced throughout their lives. Building financial confidence isn’t just about learning how to budget — it’s about recognising risk, understanding your rights, protecting yourself from scams and having greater control over your circumstances.

This funding will enable Stepping Out to provide practical, trauma-informed workshops designed specifically with survivors in mind — helping women build the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and stay safer in an increasingly complex digital world.

A huge thank you to Club Ashfield and Holman Barnes for recognising the importance of this work and supporting the women we work with.

Pictured: Stepping Out Chair Donna Bevan accepting the cheque on behalf of Stepping Out. 💜

26/08/2026

Rest in power, Dolly Parton 💜

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”

Dolly knew something about weathering storms. Born into poverty, she made her own way in a world that wasn’t always ready to take a woman seriously — let alone one who looked like Dolly.

She was underestimated because of how she presented herself, but she never seemed interested in fitting someone else’s idea of what a strong woman should look like.

Fiercely herself — generous in her good works, quietly feminist, never afraid to laugh at herself and always determined to do things her own way.

There’s something in that for all of us, especially those finding our own way after trauma.

🌼 Be yourself. Find your own garden. You do you.

Thank you, Dolly.

22/08/2026

Did I do enough?

You did everything you knew how to do, with everything you had at the time.

As a child, you found ways to survive something you should never have had to experience. You read the room. Managed other people’s emotions. Stayed quiet when you needed to. Disconnected when it became too much. Found ways to feel safe in an unsafe world.

That wasn’t weakness. It was emotional intelligence, resourcefulness and resilience in the face of the unimaginable.

Those survival strategies can stay with us long after the danger has passed.

Shift the Shame is an online group for women survivors of childhood s*xual abuse to understand these impacts and learn practical ways to manage them.

🌿 Online group starting very soon - if you or a survivor you know feels ready, reach out to us at [email protected]

You did enough then. You’re allowed to understand yourself with compassion now.

SteppingOut

20/08/2026

18/08/2026

If you’re a woman who experienced childhood s*xual abuse, Shift the Shame is a space to feel understood, supported and less alone. 💜

Our next online group is starting very soon.

Together, we’ll explore the impacts of childhood trauma, gently unpack shame and build practical tools to help you move forward.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be ready to take the first step.

Self-referrals welcome.
📩 Get in touch with Stepping Out to find out more or reserve your place.
[email protected]

09/08/2026

Census Night is coming up next Tuesday 11th August!

Every five years, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects information to help the government, services and communities plan for the future. Information collected is private and can't be used against you. Participation is mandatory - consider it a civic duty.

This year, we can complete the Census online. However, if you don't fill it out in time, field workers from Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) may knock on your door to follow up.

No one wants an unexpected knock on the door! To avoid it, fill your census form out online on or soon after 11/8/26.

If you DO get the knock on the door, ask the field worker for their official ABS identification. Do not let them inside and do not provide them with any personal information such as banking details, tax file number or passwords.

We understand that the Census might feel unsafe to survivors but it's necessary for funding services like ours. Please reach out if it raises any issues [email protected]

09/08/2026

"The World Awaits!"
Stepping Out runs a social connection for women survivors of child s*xual abuse every Friday in Marrickville, incorporating trauma-informed exercise, art, a healthy lunch and a workshop.

For example, tomorrow, we have Uzma from talking about pelvic health and Natalia from WAGEC (Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre) 💜 running a workshop on tech safety.

If you're interested, reach out to us via email [email protected] or check out our website www.steppingout.org.au

Thanks to our student for putting together this post! Franny is in her final year of social work at Western Sydney University and is a welcome addition to the team :)

08/08/2026

13/07/2026

We are learning so much about tech safety from WAGEC (Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre) 💜 at our social connection group on Fridays in Marrickville. All the practical strategies to keep up with the many ways of online manipulation are invaluable for women survivors of childhood s*xual abuse who already face challenges with knowing who to trust. Week 3 of 4 is on this week - reach out at [email protected] if you’re a survivor who’d find this useful 🤖🌼🤖🌼

Thanks to for the infographic ⭐️