Her story is a jarring example of why the service's impending closure will be a body blow to domestic violence victims in the region.

Sarah - not her real name - spent 12 months in a violent relationship.

The 20-year-old's former partner would regularly subject her to physical and emotional abuse, usually after accusing her of looking at other men.

"I was walking on eggshells, too scared to do anything. When we went out, I'd always look at the ground because he said I was looking at other guys," she said.

Despite assisting in more than 380 cases of domestic violence a month, the Lake Illawarra Family Violence Support Service (LIFVSS) was told last week it would not be funded past July 2015, under state government domestic violence reforms.

After reading about the service's axing, Sarah contacted the Mercury to share her story of escaping domestic violence.

"I had a job at a shop but he made me quit, he thought I was cheating on him at work. He always wanted control over where I went."

Her boyfriend installed a tracking app on her phone.

"I had nobody to help. I was isolated, I had no friends left," Sarah said.

"It got to the point where I tried hurting myself, I tried to kill myself."

A fight with her boyfriend was referred to Lake Illawarra police, where she was put in touch with the support service. It was the first step to leaving her toxic relationship.

"They gave me the support I needed, told me it wasn't my fault. They gave me advice on how to leave, and told me all the tricks he would pull to get me to stay," Sarah said.

She packed her things and left the house while her partner was out.

Now in a happy relationship with a new partner, she hopes to undertake training in community services.

"I can't imagine what it would be like in this area without the service."

LIFVSS support worker Lauren Huggett said the service was investigating ways to remain open.

"We've been told the decision won't be overturned, but I won't go quietly," she said.

"We've had so many people saying how bad the decision is, how much they need the service."