Safe homes have never been more important

Recently, I was fortunate to be in the greater Shepparton and Goulburn region visiting our Hume Community Hub. One of the long standing services that we run is Marian House (Marian Community Specialist Family Violence Program is part of Hume Community Hub, which includes a Financial Resilience Program and Home Care Packages).

 Marian House is a 24/7 specialist family violence service and the kind of intense care and support Marian House provides, from short-term immediate intervention case management to high-risk survivors fleeing family violence (including refuge, emergency accommodation).

 May is ‘Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month’ and the need for safe places and spaces such as Marian House has never been more important.

 In Australia, one woman a week on average is killed by someone they love or had loved.

 Just last month, there were two more harrowing incidents of family violence in the news – bringing the 2021 death toll alone to 11 – and yet this violence goes beyond awful headlines.

 Family violence does not discriminate. It is far-reaching and pervasive. Family violence affects not only the survivors themselves, but the children who witness it, and their immediate networks – families, friends, workplaces – as well as, ultimately, the entire community.

 Research tells us that family violence is the leading cause of homelessness, but we also know that a lack of accessible, safe and affordable housing is another key barrier. A lack of safe and secure housing can lead to further human rights violations, such as the right to security and personal safety, privacy, health and wellbeing, education and more.

 This is why we have provided a submission to the Victorian Government as part of the government’s 10-year strategy for social and affordable housing. Our submission seeks to promote ways that we can collectively harness the goodwill and skills of the broader community, alongside government and housing organisations to find lasting and sustainable solutions. We see this as vitally important. If you would like to read the submission please click HERE.

 I am so proud of what we are doing to help keep women and children safe. Every woman should a safe place to live. To help us #removetherisk for these women and their children I need your support. Please visit ceosleepout.org.au.