A NSW initiative offering women and children a carpark in which to sleep overnight as respite from domestic violence and homelessness, has been labelled “heartbreaking”.
Homelessness and domestic violence service Nova for Women and Children (Nova), based in Newcastle, began referring women to the pilot program in April.
“Looking for somewhere safer to sleep in your car a few nights a week?” a poster for the event reads.
The service promises a safe space for women to gather as well as food and drink, toilets and showers among other services.
NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said she recently met with a range of dedicated women’s homelessness services, including Nova.
“They spoke to me then about their upcoming car parking pilot, and it broke my heart,” she told 7NEWS.com.au.
“Of course, I recognise how these efforts to make women and children safe are direct responses to the ongoing housing crisis, but it’s not acceptable that this is what we have come to.
“I don’t want to see women and children sleeping in cars because that is the only safe place for them.”
“We know demand for emergency accommodation and long-term housing is not keeping up with supply.”
Meanwhile, Nova said it encouraged anyone in the community who has been inspired by the pilot program to get in touch with organisations in your area to find out what is needed most.
“We are heartened by the enthusiastic response from our community — both locally and nationally — to share support options for women needing a safe space to sleep,” it said in a statement.
An advertisement for the initiative was posted to a community social media page, which left many people heartbroken by the devastating reality the event exposed.
“The government should be absolutely ashamed of themselves that this is needed,” one person said.
“This is so sad but great at the same time, I feel for anyone who has to sleep in their car,” another added.
“What a great initiative. Does it need donations?” a third questioned.
Funding announcement
It comes as bail law reform, homelessness prevention programs and greater support for victim-survivors were flagged as key initiatives in a NSW $230 million domestic violence prevention and support package.
Domestic violence is preventable and there needs to be a greater focus on disrupting the cycle of abuse early, Premier Chris Minns will say, when he unveils details of the four-year funding plan on Monday.
The emergency package was promised after NSW cabinet met last week to hear from experts in the field as governments around the nation grapple with how to prevent the rising tide of violence against women.
More than $73 million will go towards reforming the NSW justice system to help victims, including $45 million set aside to improve bail laws and other systemic responses, to be detailed in coming weeks.
Some $48 million will go to expanding the Staying Home Leaving Violence program which helps prevent homelessness as well as providing more case management support through the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service.
The same amount will go towards funding more specialist support workers for children and $38 million will be spent on implementing the state’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy to address the drivers of family violence.
More than $13 million will be spent on workforce training, expanding Domestic Violence NSW and funding research on perpetrators.
The package does not include money for a state royal commission into family violence.
One quarter of Australian women and one in eight men have been subjected to violence from a family member or partner since the age of 15, according to the NSW government.
Minns says family violence is a blight on the community and a problem that deserves concerted attention and response from the government.
“Domestic, family, and sexual violence is preventable; we cannot accept the status quo,” he said in a statement.
“This funding announcement is an important step to doing better, to recognising that domestic violence supports need to be applied not just from a crisis response perspective, but with an eye to disrupting the cycle of domestic and family violence early and permanently.”
– With AAP
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491