WOTS stands for Ward of the State. Cheryl was born in 1961, in Mt Isa, Queensland. She first lived with her grandparents, but when she went to live with her mother, her mother's partner was physically and sexually abusive. Running away to escape being raped by the man set Sharon up for becoming a Ward of the State. In many ways being a Ward of the State and living in foster care or in a residential care facility was far preferable to living with her mother and various dubious partners.