In yet further comments disconnected from reality, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson declared today that “if these women are getting abused by men out there, then don’t put up with it” and that domestic violence “is wrong, but it’s also a two-way street”.
While Hanson’s comments failed to account for the fact that most of the recent murders of women involved former intimate partners, estranged family members, and in the news coming out of Perth today – a 16 year old boy charged with murdering his mother – she also fails to recognise that for those who do live with their abusers, the “choice” is far from straightforward, affordable and safe.
Indeed, new research from Anglicare Sydney today highlights the challenge, finding that the cost of leaving domestic and family violence has risen 71 per cent in a decade, significantly outpacing inflation.
It costs $7017 in 2026 to leave such violence, up from $4098 in 2016.
The figures are based on a comparative analysis charting the difference over the past decade in the immediate costs of leaving, including bond, moving truck rental, temporary accommodation, and follow-on costs of rebuilding a household and establishing safety.
Claire Dunlop, the General Manager of Relationships & Wellbeing at Anglicare Sydney, described the figure as “confronting” and said that “behind every number is a person trying to reach safety”.
“For many victim-survivors, leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety. When housing costs, childcare, transport and everyday essentials keep rising, people can feel trapped between violence and financial insecurity,” she said.
Further, the costs extend well beyond these raw living costs – to managing the search for housing, managing childcare and maintaining or finding employment. Victim-survivors may be contending with a lack of reliable support networks and having to move around the surveillance of an offender. Dunlop said they have also seen cases where coercive control involves debt being accumulated in a victim-survivor’s name – resulting in more than forced financial dependence but also damaged credit histories.
As well as expanded housing response to the crisis, Anglicare is calling for an increase in the Leave Violence Program payment from $5000 to $7000 and the indexing of future increases to CPI, as well as an expansion of access to no-interest loans and emergency brokerage funding for essentials like bond assistance, whitegoods, childcare and relocation costs.
Further, Anglicare is calling for paid domestic and family violence leave to be increased from the current ten days to 15 days, along with strengthened tenancy and workplace protection to support safety, recovery and long-term financial security.
Hanson’s latest comments on 4BC Morning today reflect a long history of minimising the impact of domestic and family violence, but they feel especially shocking – given the horrific news of the past couple of weeks regarding the murders of women across the country.
She was quick to note that “women can lose their cool as well” and also to attribute the issue to the “pressures of cost of living, people have to pay the bills”, and that “everyone is under so much pressure it’s really hard. I don’t think we communicate enough with each other.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In an emergency, call 000.