Finding the courage to live my true life

I’m Tessa Jetson and I want to tell you a little bit about my story.

I never thought I would be in a situation of domestic violence

When I was 16 I met a guy and fell in love. Over the next 7 years we had three children together and lived a pretty normal, happy life. And then one day, my partner turned to drugs. His personality changed completely. He started having psychotic episodes (often as a result of taking speed) and became violent and abusive.

For three years I lived in absolute fear. I was on the run, trying to escape his violence, trying to keep my kids safe and I thought that there was no way out. How had this happened? This was not the life I was supposed to be living! One day I realised that I couldn’t keep on running. I had to do something to stop the cycle of fear and violence, to protect my kids – then aged five, three and one - and to bring a positive change into our lives. I called the Salvos and said I needed somewhere safe to stay. They took me in to a
women’s refuge straight away. For the first time in years I felt safe.

A new beginning and the chance to create the life I wanted

Arriving at the refuge was one of the happiest days of my life. It was a haven. And it gave me the chance to start again and make a new life.

I remember writing down a whole lot of goals in my first few weeks there. At the time they all seemed ridiculous – and impossible to achieve (more on that later!). I got busy doing the practical things of life. I received a lot of great counseling that helped me so much. The Salvos helped me get my own home and furniture to put in it.

I love my life – every moment of every day

This is a story of happiness! What I experienced while in an abusive relationship was devastating. But it did not destroy me. And in some ways, the things I learned and the chance to start again made me even stronger and more determined than ever – to live life and love every moment.

These are the goals I set while in the first few weeks at the refuge: to run my own business, to be an actress, a model and a singer, to become a public speaker, to inspire and change the lives of other people – especially women and young people.