Tara's Angels

Tara’s Angels provides support to women in the ACT who have experienced domestic and family violence with up to two years of post-crisis support, helping women to connect with local agencies and services, and rebuild their life.

Our Tara’s Angels case workers walk with women, mentoring and empowering them with practical and reliable support after experiencing domestic violence. Angels are tertiary qualified social workers with experience in social work and help women to explore options that best support their needs.

In 2016 we partnered with the Tara Costigan Foundation (TCF) to deliver this unique service to women in the ACT. Today, BaptistCare HopeStreet continues Tara’s legacy through Tara’s Angels, bringing hope and practical support to women who have experienced fear and violence.

If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic or family violence, call the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 24-hour crisis line on 6280 0900 or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency, call 000.

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Register for a Tara's Angel

Navigating government departments

We support women as they navigate services including Centrelink, ACT Housing, Victims of Crime and OneLink.

Referrals & advocacy

We help to link women in to other support services and agencies as they rebuild their lives, including counselling and psychology services, child and family centres, health services and financial support. Our case workers advocate for clients to ensure that someone is stepping up for them at a time when they're under immense stress.

Court support

We walk with women through the process of attending court for Family Violence Orders (FVOs), and also attend family court with clients. We also help clients to connect with Legal Aid for assistance.

Practical support

If we can meet a need, we will. Our case workers listen to our clients and assess their immediate needs, whether this is help with accessing grocery items or a supportive phone call.

Emotional Support

Having emotional support during the trauma of working through domestic and family violence is vital. We know our clients are strong and resilient, and we walk alongside women, empowering and guiding them as they make positive choices for their safety and wellbeing

On 28 February 2015, Tara Costigan, a mother of three and a BaptistCare employee, was brutally murdered by her ex-partner. Her violent death from domestic violence sent shock waves through her family, friends, the local ACT community and BaptistCare’s workforce.

In response to her tragic death, calls for change became the inspiration for Tara’s family to establish the Tara Costigan Foundation (TCF), in memory of Tara and other women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.

TCF dedicated four years of campaigning on behalf of victims of domestic violence, and with the support of BaptistCare HopeStreet, established Tara’s Angels, a case worker service that supports women in their recovery from the trauma of domestic and family violence.

Today, BaptistCare HopeStreet continues to deliver this vital service in honour of Tara and her family, and as we make every effort to end the cycle of abuse and build safer families.

You can support Tara's Angels and their critical work with a regular or one-off donation.

Please Donate Today