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'Immediately I was homeless': A mother's battle after leaving violence

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A mother, Nicole Yade, recounts the severe financial hardship faced when leaving a violent relationship with her infant child.
  • The immediate costs of leaving domestic violence have risen significantly, outpacing inflation, according to new research.
  • Rising living costs and housing insecurity are exacerbating the challenges for victim-survivors seeking safety.

Nicole Yade's experience highlights the immense financial struggle faced by those fleeing domestic violence. After leaving an abusive relationship for the safety of herself and her infant daughter, Yade spent thousands of dollars and found herself homeless, relying on charity to rebuild her life.

Immediately, I was homeless, couch surfing and over time I was able to get a little unit, but I didn't have any furniture when I first moved in; I had a mattress on the floor.

— Nicole YadeDescribing her immediate situation after leaving a violent relationship.

"Immediately, I was homeless, couch surfing and over time I was able to get a little unit, but I didn't have any furniture when I first moved in; I had a mattress on the floor," Yade recalled. She now works in domestic and family violence services, drawing on her own experiences.

It is a patchwork of support services that come together to try and help victim-survivors navigate all the expenses they have.

— Nicole YadeCommenting on the fragmented nature of support for those leaving domestic violence.

New research from Anglicare Sydney reveals that the immediate costs for people leaving domestic violence have surged by 71 percent since 2016, from $4,098 to $7,017. This increase significantly outpaces inflation, with median weekly rents in New South Wales (NSW) rising by 60 percent over the past decade, and average bond costs also increasing by the same margin. The cost of hiring a moving truck has seen an even steeper rise of 122 percent.

Leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety.

— Claire DunlopGeneral Manager of Relationships and Wellbeing Services at Anglicare, commenting on the research findings.

Claire Dunlop, who runs Anglicare's New England North West support services, stated that financial barriers are becoming a major obstacle for victim-survivors. "Leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety," Dunlop said. She noted that factors like housing costs, childcare, transport, and caring for pets or elderly parents further strain limited resources, leaving individuals feeling "trapped between violence and financial insecurity."

When they have housing costs, childcare, transport, pets and everyday essentials, all these things keep people feeling trapped between violence and financial insecurity.

— Claire DunlopExplaining the compounding financial pressures on victim-survivors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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