Domestic violence victims forced to live in violent homes due to rental crisis

“People are desperate to keep a roof over their head, especially people with disabilities and [those] who have children,” says Law Reform Officer at Economic Justice Australia Linda Forbes.

The worsening rental crisis across Australia is forcing women to stay in violent relationships. 

According to a senate inquiry on Thursday in Sydney, women are left in a state of “perpetual crisis.” 

Frontline workers and domestic violence advocates spoke on Thursday, pleading for an increase in rental assistance by the government. 

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

RELATED: ‘I inspected a rental property in Sydney and was disgusted by what I saw’

A ‘significant proportion’ of people seeking domestic violence support are renters, the inquiry heard. File image: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

Mum-of-one in “constant fear” of being evicted from rental

A mum-of-one told the Senate she lives in “constant fear” of being evicted by her landlord. 

“My 11-year-old has already moved five times,” the Sydneysider said. “The psychological impacts are huge.” 

Other Sydney residents shared their experience living in mould-ridden houses and living under constant threat of eviction. 

Head of NSW Legal Aid Domestic Violence Unit Hannah Baltins said the situation was “particularly acute” for women living in rural and regional areas. 

“We are seeing clients who may stay in violent homes because they don’t have anywhere to go or because moving would severely disrupt their employment or their children's education,” she said. 

“It’s also an issue for Aboriginal families, and overcrowding in housing, and families being forced into insufficient or inappropriate housing.”

RELATED: 'We got sick after we moved in ... you wouldn't believe why'

Rising rents in Sydney have forced adults with children to move back in with their parents. File image: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Women forced to live in dangerous situations

Recently released data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that women who are renting are more likely to have experienced domestic violence than homeowners. 

Law Reform Officer at Economic Justice Australia Linda Forbes said that no alternative living arrangement gives women no choice but to return to a dangerous environment. 

‘People are desperate to keep a roof over their head, especially people with disabilities and [those] who have children,” she said. 

“Private renters who are also reliant on social security payments are stuck in a state of perpetual crisis.”

According to Professor Alan Morris from the University of Technology Sydney, a key factor behind the limited supply of rentals because the voices of people in crisis were not being heard. 

An interim report on the housing crisis will be handed to national cabinet in September, with a final report due in November.

Originally published as Domestic violence victims forced to live in violent homes due to rental crisis