Berry Street Web Docs Annual Report 2016 | Page 42

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Lucy's
story
When Lucy, aged 14, was referred to our
Intensive Case Management Service, she was at
extreme risk. Her family relationships were fractured
and the one person she did see had sexually exploited
her. Not surprisingly, given the childhood trauma she had
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for older men. Lucy tested Jessica, her case manager, with her
chaotic lifestyle, substance use, running away and moving in
with men who used her. At 16½, Lucy became pregnant. Jessica
helped her return to her hometown and connected her to local
services. Being the best mother she could for her child motivated
Lucy to make massive changes in her life. She settled in Ballarat,
kept her appointments, stopped her substance use and started
to reconnect with her grandmother. When Lucy’s daughter was
born, the Court ordered 24/7 support for Lucy until she could
obtain a parenting assessment. This meant our residential
care workers actually moved in with her. Lucy completed
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her Guardianship Order was allowed to lapse. Her
daughter is thriving and Lucy tells us how she
knew we would always be there for her.

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BERRY STREET