After the headlines fade, it’s the quiet acts

that carry us through

By Daniel Mancuso, Co-Founder of Yiayia Next Door The impact of family violence does not end when the headlines do. For many families, that is when the long road forward begins. It has been 12 years since my mum, Teresa, was killed. Time has changed how I carry that grief, but it has not taken it away. In the beginning, it consumed everything. Now, it sits more quietly in the background, but it is still there, in milestones, memories and moments I do not expect. What helped me through those early days was not one big moment of support. It was something much smaller and more consistent. Next door to us lived a Greek grandmother, whom we now call Yiayia. Without being asked, she started bringing over meals, checking in, and quietly making sure we were okay. There was no big gesture or expectation; she simply showed up when everything felt uncertain. Those acts did not change what had happened. But they made it easier to get through each day. At a time when grief, shock and fear felt overwhelming, her care reminded my brother and me that we were not completely alone. It gave us something steady to hold onto, and a small sense of hope when everything else felt unstable. That experience shaped how I understand support. Support is not always about having the perfect words or knowing exactly what to do. Sometimes it is practical. Sometimes it is quiet. Sometimes it is simply showing up. But in the aftermath of violence, support can be the thing that helps someone take the next step. That is why seeking support matters. When you are in crisis or trying to process something traumatic, reaching out can feel difficult. It can feel easier to stay silent, to carry it yourself, or to believe no one will understand. But no one should have to go through family violence, grief or fear alone. Just as a neighbour can provide a sense of hope, Safe Steps offers structured intervention to support those in crisis. Safe Steps provides Victoria’s only inclusive, confidential family and domestic violence crisis support service, supporting victim- survivors, helping them access safety and ongoing support. For someone experiencing family violence, having somewhere to turn, someone who understands the complexity of what is happening and can help them work through what comes next, can make all the difference. It is not just about crisis response. It is about helping people find safety, support and a way forward. So far in 2026, 19 women and six children, including an unborn baby, have been killed in Australia due to domestic or associated violence (Australian Femicide Watch). These are not just numbers. They represent lives taken, families changed, and futures that will never be the same. They also show why support must be available, accessible and understood before people reach a breaking point. Family violence has a ripple effect. It reaches partners, children, parents, siblings, friends and communities. Its impact can persist for years, especially when people are left without adequate support. That understanding is what led me to the work I do today. Yiayia’s care stayed with me. It became the foundation for Yiayia Next Door, built on the belief that small, consistent acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact. My advocacy is grounded in that same lesson: support matters, and we all have a role to play. Services matter. Community matters. Reaching out matters. Abuse isolates people. Support does the opposite. It reconnects people, reminds them they are seen, and helps them find a way forward. For anyone going through it, even if it does not feel like it, you are not alone. There are people who care. There are services that can help. And reaching out, even when it feels difficult, can be the first step towards safety, support and hope. About Safe Steps: Safe Steps provides immediate, life-saving support to all individuals experiencing family and domestic violence. It offers 24/7 assistance to all Victorians in high-risk situations and crises, ensuring their safety and well-being. Safe Steps handles over 130,000 calls, emails and web chats every year, highlighting the scale of the crisis facing victim-survivors across Victoria. Around 33,000 nights of emergency accommodation are provided, offering safety and shelter to the most vulnerable members of the community, 43% of whom are children and young people on any given night. If you or someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, contact Safe Steps 24/7 on 1800 015 188, email safesteps@safesteps.org.au or visit safesteps.org.au.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia