Safe housing gives victims hope
Behind the alarming family violence statistics in Gippsland is evidence of another crisis - a critical shortage of safe housing options for victims.
Despite the shortage in crisis and refuge accommodation, Quantum executive director client services Cindy Pullar says women living in family violence need to be assured safe, secure options will be always found.
Quantum manages a number of crisis properties (safe houses) across Baw Baw and Latrobe municipalities as well as a 24/7 refuge that provides fully self contained units.
At any given time, those properties are full and the refuge, designed to provide short term six week accommodation for families is now being used for months on end. Rental demand across Gippsland makes it almost impossible for victims to find long term rental properties to move into.
“We are finding more and more that women come to us because they need safety and security.
“We have no housing exits (long term rentals) for women experiencing family violence to go to so they are staying much longer and then it’s not available to other victims.
“Where we can get housing for women, the cost is going through the roof so the subsidies for crisis accommodation is not helping as many people.
Ms Pullar said long term housing options for victims were hampered by low public housing availability in the region and the high price of caravan and cabin accommodation, up to $300 a night some areas.
She said the affordability and accessibility of private rental properties to move families into had impacted their services.
“It’s meant to be short term housing with the aim to move them in 12 weeks. The aim is to secure alternative, long term safe accommodation for them. Sometimes they can be on the road to recovery in that time.
“But some women have been in our properties for 12 months because we can’t find an exit property for them. We won’t close a case until a woman is safe.
Ms Pullar said women and children were most at risk when they make the decision to leave, and the risk can continue for two years.
She said putting in place the right support to keep them safe throughout that time was critical.
“It’s a balance. We want to empower women to have choice but when children are involved we also have to consult with child protection.
“Often they are just surviving through their day and creating as much safety as they can for them and their children, but there are times when we have to advise child protection because the perpetrator isn’t keeping the children safe.
Quantum works closely with The Orange Door and Victoria Police as referral agencies for women and children needing accommodation.
Women needing housing are referred to Quantum through those agencies. But, Ms Pullar encouraged women to contact Quantum for advice.
“We do have women come direct to our office and we will make it happen for them.
“When women self refer to Orange Door or make the call to us, they are often getting the information to see what’s available to help them make their decision.
“Our role is to increase their safety and there is no judgement if they decide to stay. We talk to them about how they have to keep themselves safe and we assess their sense of safety and risk.
“We use the opportunity to talk to them about safety planning. They don’t have to be leaving to access our services - there used to be a myth that you had to leave or they had been in an incident to get housing, that’s not the case.
“They may not make a decision to leave that day when they call but at least they have the information.
Ms Pullar said women sought help when they felt a loss of control and they worked with victims to “get back their sense of control.”
“They may get to the point that they can no longer take the risk to their safety, but then they face homelessness.
“Do they return to the family home where the basic needs of shelter is provided even when that shelter is a risk.
“It’s a difficult space to be in. People think about their immediate safety but for so many, housing is a part of that safety and we don’t have enough options.
“Our focus is providing safe and secure housing for our women and children. On the first call to us, if we can’t get safe housing, the first option is hotels.
“We will provide motel accommodation where needed - it’s not long term and financially it can’t be sustained. It’s an option but it’s not the solution.
Long term, Ms Pullar said the only option for some women was to leave the area and seek refuge elsewhere so they can feel safe and secure.
But, she said, that was not an option for all families. Relocation for some women creates a feeling of disconnect from their social connections and disruption to school or work needs.
Ms Pullar said often the “escape” answer for women was turning to family and friends, but not everyone had that option.
Where it is safe, Quantum works with police and case managers to enable women to stay in their home by putting in place safety measures to protect them from perpetrators.
She said they worked with security companies to undertake a full safety audit of the family home and introduce safety measures including CCTV cameras, changing locks, window locks, sensor gates and sometimes a personal safety alarm.
“We talk to women and make them aware that is is not fail proof safety but it’s a mechanism to increase their safety. “We don’t want them to have a false sense of safety so for some, living and staying in the home isn’t an option.
Quantum is advocating strongly for more public housing for women living in family violence.
Until that happens, she said it was heart warming that community members ask what can they do to help. Sometimes, that can be making a holiday house or rental property available for crisis accommodation.
Ms Pullar said a local community member donated money for Quantum to purchase a house for women experiencing family violence but there was a desperate need for more housing.