‘You Can’t Just Up and Leave’: The Harsh Reality of Escaping Domestic Violence in Australia, Where the Cost of Freedom Has Soared 71% in a Decade
- Australia’s domestic violence crisis has claimed 38 lives this year alone, with thousands more women trapped in abusive relationships.
- The cost of escaping domestic violence has skyrocketed 71% in the past decade, with the average victim facing a bill of over $7,000 to resettle their life.
- One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s comments suggesting women should “not put up with” intimate partner violence have sparked outrage among advocates, who say her remarks are “ignorant” and “privileged”.
Christie Hayes knows all too well the horrors of domestic violence.
The former soap star turned radio host has spoken out about her own experiences of financial abuse and coercion, and has spent years advocating for victims of domestic violence.
But despite her own harrowing ordeal, Hayes says she’s “one of the lucky ones”.
According to a shocking new report by Anglicare, the cost of escaping domestic violence has risen by 71% in the past decade, with the average victim facing a bill of over $7,000 to resettle their life.
The report, which was released just hours before Senator Hanson’s comments, found that financial abuse is a common feature of domestic and family violence, and can continue to affect victims long after separation.
Hayes, who has spoken to thousands of women during her time as a radio host, says the reality of escaping domestic violence is far more complex than simply “not putting up with it”.
“It’s not as easy to just up and leave or even get a man who is violent kicked out of the house,” she said. “When you see a leader speaking like that, it completely minimises what a woman actually has to go through to leave.”
The Cost of Leaving Report makes three key policy recommendations, including improved financial support, expanded housing and accommodation reform, and heightened economic and employment protections.
Anglicare is urging the federal government to raise the grant cap for domestic violence victims attempting to restart their lives from $5,000 to $7,000.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The rising cost of escaping domestic violence is a stark reminder of the systemic failures that allow this crisis to continue.
With over 70,000 households waiting for social housing in NSW alone, it’s clear that the current system is failing to provide adequate support for victims.
Security analysts say that the lack of affordable housing and financial support is creating a perfect storm that allows perpetrators to continue their abuse with impunity.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the comments made by Senator Hanson are not only ignorant but also dangerous, as they perpetuate the myth that victims of domestic violence are somehow to blame for their situation.
Industry observers believe that the report’s findings highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing domestic violence, one that takes into account the complex financial and social realities faced by victims.
