Women fleeing domestic violence are being housed in tents in regional NSW and one shelter has been forced to set up a secure car park, so women can sleep safely as the emergency housing crisis emerges as one of the most pressing issues ahead of Friday’s urgent state cabinet meeting.
In Newcastle, where Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data shows that the rate of domestic violence assaults rose by 20 per cent in the two years to December 2023, emergency housing supply has become so stretched one service provider has begun allowing women fleeing violence to sleep in a secure car park three nights a week.
The housing crisis, along with cost of living pressures, was also affecting women grappling with the legal system. Anna Baltins, the solicitor in charge of Legal Aid NSW’s domestic violence unit, said the service had seen an increase in domestic violence reports and requests for help, particularly in the regions.
“We’ve had clients who have said that they won’t leave a violent home because they have nowhere to go,” Baltins said. “They can’t afford to find new housing or there’s no housing available. There’s no emergency accommodation, or it means they’ll have to move their children’s school because they have to move a long distance to be able to afford to meet their expenses, put food on the table.”
Source: 12ft
Well this is really odd – women are out of their own homes, seeking shelter, whilst the violent man remains in the woman’s home. And governments and apparently refuge etc services go along with this? It belies belief. Again – way back in the 1980s it was clear that violent men have lots of places to go, so do not need to remain in the home where they are engaging in criminal assault and other forms of domestic violence. Why is no one asking the question: why is there a ‘go along with turfing women (and children) out’?