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

Immediate financial cost for victim-survivors leaving domestic violence rises 71pc, research says Tue 28 Jul 2026 at 6:36am In short: Rising living costs and housing insecurity are reshaping the experience of leaving domestic violence. New research from Anglicare Sydney says the immediate cost for people leaving domestic violence has risen by 71 per cent since 2016, from $4,098 to $7,017. An advocate say the government needs to further address the financial cost for victim-survivors. In the process of leaving a violent relationship for the safety of herself and her infant child, Nicole Yade spent thousands of dollars to rebuild her life. Ms Yade, who now works in the domestic and family violence services sector, said the physical assaults escalated when she was pregnant with her daughter. "I grew up in domestic violence and ended up in a relationship with similar qualities when I was in my early 20s," she said. "It just got worse and worse until I finally left when my daughter was about five or six months." When Ms Yade ended the relationship, she left behind a house full of furniture, clothes and baby items. "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." She credited the generosity of local charities for providing second-hand goods, as well as a "little toy for a Christmas present for my daughter". "It is a patchwork of support services that come together to try and help victim-survivors navigate all the expenses they have." Rising living costs and housing insecurity are reshaping the experience of leaving domestic violence. New research has found the immediate cost for people leaving domestic violence has risen by 71 per cent since 2016, from $4,098 to $7,017, significantly outpacing inflation. The research from Anglicare Sydney used publicly available Australian data to chart the difference of the immediate costs of leaving, including bond, transport, utilities, temporary accommodation and budget-level household set-up costs between 2016 and 2026. The median weekly rent in NSW increased by 60 per cent over the past decade, according to Anglicare's report, from $450 to $720. The report noted NSW's average bond costs also increased by 60 per cent, and the cost of hiring a moving truck also rose by 122 per cent over the same review period. 'Trapped between violence and financial insecurity' Claire Dunlop runs Anglicare's New England North West support services in NSW, and she and her team see firsthand the obstacles victim-survivors face. "Leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety," she said. "When they have housing costs, childcare, transport, pets and everyday essentials, all these things keep people feeling trapped between violence and financial insecurity." Ms Dunlop, who is also the organisation's general manager of relationships and wellbeing services, said victim-survivors in the regions were struggling to stretch their dollar further. "That $7,017 estimate is naturally going to be higher if they are in a very remote town because it's harder to have somewhere to go, or if they have children or are caring for elderly parents." Previous research conducted by the Australian Council of Trade Unions estimated the average cost of leaving a violent relationship was $18,000. The figure took into account legal costs, lost income, housing transitions and household re-establishment costs, not to mention the exhaustive costs of Family Court if applicable. In comparison, the NSW government's Victim Support Scheme offers an immediate needs support package to primary victims of domestic violence who meet certain criteria. The maximum amount victim-survivors can claim for financial assistance for immediate needs is $5,000. Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave also allows full-time, part-time and casual employees access to 10 days of paid leave each year. Ms Dunlop said Anglicare's indicative estimate of $7,017 was intentionally lower to focus on "the conservative basket of immediate leaving and stabilisation costs". Victim-survivors 'taking a stand' Twenty-three years on from leaving the relationship, Ms Yade has created a safe and beautiful life for her family. She is also the CEO of Women's and Girls' Emergency Centre (WAGEC). It is a Sydney-based organisation that provides accommodation for more than 200 women and children each night, operates a drop-in centre, four crisis refuges and, on average, 45 transitional properties. Ms Yade said her lived experience had informed her work and advocacy over time. "A hard day here is really tough, because you see the real, deep impacts violence has on kids and mums, but the good days are pretty special — people with so much courage and resilience taking a stand," she said. Ensuring all victim-survivors had the financial security to leave violent circumstances was crucial for government to explore, Ms Yade said, so that "women and children aren't the ones who carry that burden alone". "My story isn't very special at all. It's really, really common for the women we serve and support. We see it all the time." Ms Dunlop said it was high time to change the question so many victim-survivors were asked. "The question we've been asking is the wrong question: 'Why doesn't she just leave?' The real question is: 'Why is it not possible to leave?' "The further reflection is then, how can we make a difference so that people can leave dangerous situations."