On a visit to Vincent Street, you may see Rachel McDermott strutting her stuff in a colourful vintage gown and high heels, flashing a smile through bright red lips.
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But the boutique owner wore a different look just a few years ago, a look of fear and self-doubt from years in a violent relationship.
It started seven years ago, when Rachel was living in her home country of New Zealand.
She was down on herself and commenced a relationship with a man who began to abuse her.
The pair was on and off for years, and it almost broke Rachel before she found the courage to leave.
“I kept seeing the good but there was no good,” she said.
“I cried all the time; I couldn’t see a way out.
“I went to court with him. I supported him twice but the third time I didn’t.”
Rachel then stood up and got out, fleeing the country to come to Australia with her children three years ago.
But, it wasn’t just as easy as jumping on a plane and she still endures the problem even to this day.
“It’s hard work, taking the plunge to leave the country, my friends, family and work,” she said.
“And when you do get out, it doesn’t magically all go away and you’re feeling better.
“You’ve still got to get strong enough not to go back.”
Rachel said she wants other women to know that domestic violence isn’t something that just goes away, but getting out is vital.
“It made it difficult because you’re always looking over your shoulder; even now I’m constantly looking over my shoulder,” she said.
However she has now turned the negative into a positive, and after settling in Cessnock two years ago she began to rebuild her life and launched Elsie George Boutique.
Rachel believes the experience has been a blessing as it has allowed her to open Elsie George and find her happiness again.
“If I hadn’t gone through that, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.
She wants to share the positivity and confidence she has developed with the female community of Cessnock.
“Elsie George is about positive body image,” she said.
“I always wanted it to be more than a clothing store.
“This is about meeting people and giving them confidence.
“It’s done wonders for me and I hope it will for other people.”
And even though she is still dealing with the problem, Rachel wants to share her story to let others in similar situations know there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s a process, but my life is looking up,” she said.
“I’ve met some really nice people here, this community has embraced us.
“I think people knowing a bit about what I’ve been through may help.
“If I can do it, they can do it.”
Since opening the store 18 months ago, Rachel has branched out and established the Elsie George Pin-Up Models, an agency to promote positive body image in young women.
“Having these girls, that’s a family that we’ve chosen and I’ve got to be confident for them,” she said.
“That helps me; hopefully these girls will pass on that confidence to other girls.”
Rachel will be attending and providing donations for the BPW Cessnock benefit night for Jodie’s Place, a cause that she feels compelled to be involved in.
“I want to get involved. It’s something I’ve been through and something I continue to go through.”
She wants to show that being a victim of domestic violence should not be looked down on, and that women need to band together to support those in need.
“They’re [victims] not stupid, but they get caught up in this and they need understanding and compassion,” she said.
The BPW benefit night will be held at Cessnock Leagues Club on Friday, July 31. Tickets are available at the club.
If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Hunter Domestic Violence Support and Advisory Service on 4990 9609.
