Today, our State and Territory leaders are meeting to discuss a national crisis – 34 women have been murdered in just four months this year. Every one of these women matters – not one of them should have lost their lives. This discussion must include a conversation about homelessness.
We cannot have a conversation about gendered violence without having a conversation about the ‘choice’ being made between violence and homelessness.
In 2022-23, homelessness services assisted 58,589 women and 37,825 children who had experienced domestic and family violence.
Only 3.7% of those seeking housing secured long-term accommodation. (AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services 2022/23).
In 2021, an estimated 7,690 women returned to violent relationships and 9,120 women become homeless as a direct result of family violence (Equity Economics 2021).
Homelessness services, overwhelmed by demand, struggle to meet the needs of women and children, turning away approximately 295 people every day.
Four in five of those being turned away women or children.
We need more safe and affordable housing for women and children experiencing family violence.
This discussion must include substantial, sustained funding for the organisations at the front line of this crisis.
We cannot have a conversation about gendered violence without having a conversation about the ‘choice’ being made between violence and being turned away from support.
We urge the government to confront this crisis and demonstrate ambition by allocating substantial, sustained funding to homelessness and family violence organisations.
These resources are not only needed urgently, but they are needed consistently.
We need multi-year, ongoing and secure funding as this is a multi-generational need and requires a multi-generational commitment.
This discussion must include investment and commitment to gender equality and the drivers of violence against women and girls.
We cannot have a conversation about violence against women and girls without having a conversation about the ‘choice’ being made between violence and poverty.
Structural gender inequality is a significant factor contributing to women’s homelessness and experiences of family violence.
Systemic discrimination and inequity, such as unequal employment opportunities and the gender pay gap, reduces the capacity to leave a violent relationships.
And gender inequity and disrespect are one of the key drivers of violence against women and girls.
These are not either/or options. Nor are they new. Let’s invest in what we know works to end gendered violence.