‘Heartbroken it’s come to this’: Flyer shows the reality of domestic violence
“I hate that we have so many women and children - many of whom with no choice but to flee - cold and starving on the streets.”
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In the wake of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing a $925 million fund for combatting domestic violence, thousands of Australian women are facing housing insecurity.
As Australia grapples with the ongoing housing crisis, women living in violent homes are being forced to stay in dangerous situations.
And those who have no choice but to leave often have nowhere to go.
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One woman is being killed every four days
Family and domestic violence is the leading cause for women to become homeless, according to a report from the Department of Social Services.
Despite the government’s investments in safe accommodation for women, the recent spike in horrific gendered-based violence has sparked a call for further assistance.
So far in 2024, 28 Australian women have been killed at the hands of their current or former partner or family members.
These rates aren’t only horrifying and chilling, but they’re significantly higher than in recent memory.
By April 23 this year, one woman was being killed every four days; it used to be one woman a week.
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Following this spike in domestic violence, the federal government declared a “national crisis” and pledged to take action.
“Can we be satisfied when a woman is losing her life on average every four days? Of course not. Of course not,” Prime Minster Anthony Albanese said.
“I will tell you when I will be satisfied, I will be satisfied when we eliminate this as an issue when we're not talking about this an issue, where women are not feeling as though they have to mobilise in rallies.”
“I will be satisfied when a parent says the same thing to their daughter that they say to their son when they go out at night, not, how are you getting home from the train station, how are you getting home from the bus stop, not stay safe.”
But women are still being forced out of their homes - a place they are supposed to feel safe and secure - taking their children and possessions out of a terrifying and potentially life-threatening situation.
And where can they go?
All they can do is sleep in their cars.
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"Women sleeping in cars, looking for somewhere safer to sleep in your car a few nights a week?"
This week, a flyer for a women’s shelter started circulated on Reddit, highlighting the urgent accommodation we need for women fleeing violent and dangerous homes.
“Women sleeping in cars,” read the call-out.
“Looking for somewhere safer to sleep in your car a few nights a week?”
The flyer included all the details for women urgently seeking shelter, such as food, drinks, showers, and toilets.
You can do your laundry, watch TV and use the kitchen. You can even bring your pets.
Importantly, it is a place made to help women feel safe and secure and offer potentially life-saving support for those in need.
It is a gut-wrenching thought of a woman being forced out of her home because of a violent partner, stuck with nowhere to go.
“I am heartbroken that it has come to this—that we are so short on accommodation options that there is the demand for a carpark to be utilised like this,” the OP captioned the photo.
“However, I support community organisations trying to do something with their minimal resources to at least keep people safe-ish and with access to facilities.”
The mistreatment and disgusting violence towards women have outraged the country, and Australians are furious that more hasn’t been done to help.
“God, it is awful that this is the stopgap solution they've had to come up with,” read a comment. “A less unsafe place to sleep in your car.”
“I hate that we have so many women and children - many of whom with no choice but to flee - cold and starving on the streets,” said another.
“It’s that or further harm, possibly even death.”
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Services dedicated to women seeking shelter from domestic violence are available across the country, with states like NSW offering a rental assistance service Start Safely, which can help cover rent and employment options for those escaping a violent home.
From July 1st, the federal government will invest $925 million over five years to establish the Leaving Violence Payment, which aims to assist those leaving a violent home with “financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support pathways.”
“Those eligible will be able to access up to $5000 in financial support along with referral services, risk assessments, and safety planning,” said Albanese.
Alongside the $925 million funding for the Leaving Violence program, the Australian government has pledged a further
Yet, it’s obviously not enough.
Originally published as ‘Heartbroken it’s come to this’: Flyer shows the reality of domestic violence
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