Domestic violence survivors rise up to find voice through art

Elizabeth's paintings won Most Inspirational Artwork at the showcase. (ABC Southern Qld: Grace Nakamura)

Warning: This article contains references to domestic violence that may be distressing to some readers.

Elizabeth (surname withheld for privacy reasons) hadn't picked up a paintbrush in years.

All her energy had instead been spent on protecting herself and her three children from the suffocating weight of domestic violence.

It's a darkness that's visible but not all-consuming in Journey to Freedom, her first paintings since leaving.

Elizabeth's artwork is a series of three paintings called Journey to Freedom. (ABC Southern Qld: Grace Nakamura)

"I haven't completely eliminated the darkness in the pictures because it never fully goes away," Elizabeth said.

Her paintings won Most Inspiring Artwork at a domestic violence art showcase at a women's centre in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

About 80 artworks were on display, created by women and children affected by domestic and family violence.

One painting submitted by an 11-year-old girl shows a sad face with two hearts alongside.

This artwork was drawn by an 11-year-old-girl to tell her mum and other mums not to cry because they are loved. (ABC Southern Qld: Grace Nakamura)

"I've seen my mum and dad fighting and it made me sad," the description reads.

In Queensland, more than half of all assaults reported in 2022-2023 were categorised as family and domestic violence.

Nationally, one in four women have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner or family member, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Much of the true impact of family and domestic violence, beyond the statistics, is reflected only in the words of victim-survivors.

Belinda Vadalma from the Women's Wellness Centre said it was "safe to say" that everyone had been affected by family and domestic violence, even if it wasn't directly.

"Whether it be through a loved one or a friend, someone they know, or experienced it themselves," Ms Vadalma said.

Belinda Vadalma says the Women's Wellness Centre in Toowoomba helps about 70 women. (ABC Southern Qld: Grace Nakamura)

In Toowoomba, she said, between 60 and 70 women accessed the Women's Wellness Centre, run by Mercy Community Services.

"But they find the strength to rise up after some terrible, terrible things. Not only that, but they do it while taking care of their children."

Ms Vadalma said it was one of the counsellors who had the idea for the art showcase.

She said it was to honour the voices often lost amid reporting of perpetrators and court cases, espe