South Australian domestic violence shelters at capacity over Christmas

MORE than 280 families will spend Christmas in motels, crisis centres and domestic violence shelters this year, including children as young as two months old.

MORE than 280 families will spend Christmas in motels, crisis centres and domestic violence shelters this year, including children as young as two months old.

Frontline workers warn there is nowhere else for them to go after fleeing violent homes as they cannot afford private rental or gain access to public housing.

Figures provided to The Advertiser by the Women’s Safety Service show there are between 44 and 55 families who have experienced abuse now living in shelters in each of Adelaide’s eastern, western, southern and northern regions.

A further almost 30 groups of women and children had to be referred to motels.

A new crisis centre which opened last month was almost immediately at capacity (housing 20 families), demonstrating growing demand at a difficult time of year.

Most women arrive with children, ranging from as young as two months old to around age 12, and few belongings.

Penny Ogden, who manages St Vincent de Paul domestic violence shelter, with her dog Max. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Penny Ogden, who manages the new St Vincent de Paul Society Women’s Crisis Centre, said it had been full since it opened and few people had found anywhere to move on.

“The fact that people have been here so long shows the lack of housing options or shelter beds,” she said.

“What happens to women now is they go into motels. Often they’re extremely small, they can be quite substandard. They can’t take pets in.”

The Vinnies crisis centre offers 24-hour security and duress alarms, toiletries, meals and counselling support.

It is also one of the only places which will accept pets.

Often victims of abuse do not seek help if they have to leave pets behind.

“Some people get released from hospital and sent to a motel room on their own, traumatised,” Ms Ogden said.

“They’re so much safer here than in a motel.”

Hundreds of families are forced out of home by domestic violence. Picture: iStock

The centre will hold a lunch on Christmas Day with turkey, pudding and presents.

The State Government says it funds 77 crisis accommodation units and 243 short-term and transitional beds for family violence victims across SA.

Centacare domestic violence and homelessness services executive manager Kara Piltz said the organisation housed 35 to 40 families on any given night and “there can be a waiting list”.

“As soon as we move one family into a safe (long-term) situation we usually have another family coming in,” she said.

However, Ms Piltz noted some would wait until after the holidays to seek help.

“At Christmas women are walking on eggshells. They want to have a normal day for the kids,” she said.

“In January the bills start coming in, there’s more alcohol consumption with New Year’s, partners may be off work. That makes it difficult for women to get support to leave.”

If you need help phone 1800 RESPECT or the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098.