May* felt safer sleeping in her car, with a brand new baby girl, than she did in her home. With no money, no access to credit and no support service that would take her - the car was also her only option after escaping a violent relationship.

Domestic and family violence is the main reason that women seek the support of homeless shelters and the primary cause of homelessness amongst kids. In Victoria, where May lives, there are nearly 50,000 people on public housing waiting lists. When someone leaves a violent relationship and needs somewhere to stay, they are faced with a sector that’s struggling to cope.

 In the latest episode of Future Women’s podcast There’s No Place Like Home, you’ll hear May describe her experience of leaving a violent relationship and ending up homeless. You’ll hear from experts who lament the lack of affordable housing.

Having a safe home is a human right. It’s also a real foundation of the social order our society is built on. The home is where we entertain our friends, and where we spend time with our families and rest, yes. But you also need a home address to apply for a car loan, or to pay your phone bill, or to enrol your children in school or register for a Medicare card.

Getting back on your feet once homeless, is much more difficult than you might imagine.

With the help of experts, advocates, practitioners - and of course May* herself - in this episode we implore our audience: Stop asking why a victim doesn’t leave a violent relationship, and start asking ‘where would they go?’

• Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or Google Play
• Visit the official website
• Keep up with @Futurewomen on Instagram and Twitter and stay in touch with hashtag #TNPLH
• More information on Commbank’s Next Chapter
• Join Future Women

There’s No Place Like Home is a podcast by Future Women, made in collaboration with CommBank which is supporting long-term financial independence for victim-survivors through CommBank Next Chapter.

Content note: This podcast includes descriptions of domestic and family violence and may be upsetting to some listeners. If you have experienced or are at risk of domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault, you can call the national counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, always call the police on 000.

*We have used a pseudonym to protect May’s identity.

Support the show: https://futurewomen.com/theresnoplacelikehome/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.