Lisa Harnum Foundation

01/09/2026

What happened to the woman you used to be?

The one who laughed loudly.
Who loved seeing her friends.
Who had opinions, dreams and plans.
Who felt confident making her own decisions.
Who didn’t have to think twice before speaking.

Sometimes she doesn’t disappear overnight.

She disappears little by little.

She learns which conversations will cause an argument.
Which friends are “a problem.”
Which clothes will attract criticism.
Which opinions are better left unspoken.
Which purchases need explaining.

Eventually, keeping the peace becomes more important than being herself.

This is one of the devastating realities of coercive control.

It can slowly strip away a person’s independence, confidence and sense of identity until they barely recognise who they have become.

And that’s why freedom is about so much more than leaving.

It’s laughing again.
Making your own choices again.
Finding your voice again.
Dreaming again.
Becoming you again.

💜 Freedom isn’t just leaving an abusive relationship. Freedom is rediscovering the person you had to hide to survive.

At the Lisa Harnum Foundation, we want women to know that their story does not have to end with what was taken from them.

There can be a life after control.

And somewhere underneath everything you had to become to survive, you are still there.

25/08/2026

New free tailored resources are now available online to support frontline workers confidently identify, record and respond to coercive control in their daily practice.

The resources have been developed for practitioners in early childhood, disability, multicultural and settlement services, and youth workforces. They are designed for real-world application by representatives from these sectors and were developed in response to strong demand for sector-specific learning.

Frontline workers can now access these practical tools and e-learning modules via the DCJ website: https://lnkd.in/efgc9duF

11/08/2026

Domestic violence survivors may now be able to use secret recordings of admissions of abuse to seek safety after a major High Court decision.

While most recordings of private conversations are illegal, the High Court found the recording was allowed because it was necessary to protect the victim's "bodily autonomy and integrity".

More: https://ab.co/4g1GmzH

11/08/2026

💜 THANK YOU — YOUR SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH

To everyone who has already donated to the Lisa Harnum Foundation’s Urgent Appeal thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us continue supporting people impacted by domestic and family violence when they need it most.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity we have received so far. We haven’t reached our goal yet, and our urgent appeal is still open.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to give, there is still time. And if you have already donated, sharing our appeal with your family, friends or workplace can make an enormous difference.

Together, we can help ensure that people seeking safety and support know they are not alone. 💜

Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in this work. And thank you for helping us continue it.

Donate today or share our appeal. Every act of support matters. https://www.lisahf.org.au/urgent-appeal

06/08/2026

04/08/2026

Together, we can ensure that more women and families receive the support they deserve.

🔗 Donate now:
www.lisahf.org.au/urgent-appeal

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can create a future free from domestic and family violence.

03/08/2026

🚨 URGENT COMMUNITY APPEAL 🚨

Domestic violence doesn’t stop. Neither should support.

Right now, the Lisa Harnum Foundation is facing an urgent funding shortfall. To continue supporting women and families affected by domestic and family violence, we need to raise $15,000 this week.

Every day, people turn to organisations like ours for education, advocacy, practical support and hope. We refuse to let financial challenges stop this vital work, but we can’t do it without our community.

❤️ Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference.

If you’re able to help, please donate today.

If you can’t donate, you can still make an incredible impact by sharing this post with your family, friends, colleagues and community.

Together, we can ensure that more women and families receive the support they deserve.

🔗 Donate now:
www.lisahf.org.au/urgent-appeal

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can create a future free from domestic and family violence.

30/07/2026

Aileen Mountifield, Founder of Lisa Harnum Foundation her response to the unveiling of the memorial bench in Hyde Park.

30/07/2026

The Unveiling of the Memorial Bench for Lisa Cecilia Harnum - Hyde Park 29.7.2026

30/07/2026

Today, on the 15th anniversary of Lisa Harnum’s death, we unveiled this memorial bench in Hyde Park, Sydney, in her honour.

Lisa’s life was tragically taken through domestic violence, but her story continues to inspire a movement that says enough is enough.

This bench is more than timber and bronze. It is a permanent reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a future that mattered.

We hope that everyone who pauses here will take a moment to reflect on the devastating impact of domestic and family violence—and the role each of us can play in creating a safer community.

As the plaque reads:

“In their hour of darkness, be a light of hope.”

May this place encourage conversations, inspire courage, and remind those experiencing abuse that they are not alone. There is hope. There is help. There is a community that stands with you.

The Lisa Harnum Foundation remains committed to raising awareness, supporting victim-survivors, and working towards a future where every person can live free from fear.

A sincere thank you to the City of Sydney for supporting this lasting tribute, and to TPG Group, whose generous sponsorship made the memorial plaque possible.

Together, we honour Lisa’s memory by continuing the fight to end domestic and family violence.

💜 May her legacy continue to be a light of hope for generations to come.