Beyond the Street: Melbourne Exhibition Unveils Australia's Hidden Crisis of Female Homelessness
Sleepless Nights and Hidden Fears: A Glimpse into Homelessness
During the brutal chill of Melbourne's winter nights, Vanessa Heart found refuge under the front hedges of unfamiliar homes, a desperate attempt to shield herself from what she called the "monsters." At 60, with aching bones and without even basic protection like blankets or proper coats, she faced a horrifying choice: enduring the violence of an abusive husband or confronting the perilous unknowns of the street. "If the predators got a hold of you, they'd beat the crap out of you and they'd take whatever little you had," she recounted, her voice still echoing the fear.
Vanessa's stark experience is one of many powerfully brought to life in the new exhibition, 'Walk in Her Shoes,' presented by the Council to Homeless Persons at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre. Through compelling artworks, like those by Jo Waite depicting Vanessa's story, the exhibition peels back the layers on a crisis that remains largely hidden, yet deeply prevalent across Australia.
The Alarming Link: Domestic Violence and Displacement
Vanessa's story is far from unique. The latest statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal a disturbing truth: family and domestic violence stands as a major catalyst for homelessness, accounting for over 40 per cent of individuals seeking specialist housing services. Women and girls bear the brunt of this crisis, comprising 60 per cent of the estimated 289,000 people who reach out for help each year. Compounding this, census data from 2011 to 2021 indicates an alarming 40 per cent surge in homelessness among women aged over 55.
Diana Connell, a powerful advocate with lived experience, embodies these statistics. Fleeing an abusive marriage, she found herself living in her car, battling lung cancer, while her teenage son strived to complete his Year 12 exams from the back seat. "I parked in the McDonald's car park and used their power points to charge up my feeding machine," Ms Connell recalled, highlighting the daily indignities and resourceful grit required for survival. "It was terrible, but what gets me is that my situation is not unique."
Advocacy for Safety and Systemic Change
Ms Connell's personal battle fuelled her advocacy. She is a co-designer of 'Safe at Home,' a vital program aimed at allowing victim-survivors of family violence to remain securely housed. Yet, even with her dedication, she admits her dream of homeownership has faded. The instability of the rental market brings constant anxiety. "Every time I pack up to shift to a different rental because it's so insecure, I get panic attacks," she explained. "When you turn 55… I'm in that cohort now of women who've come through domestic violence and ended up with no superannuation, no savings, everything's been spent on the children." Her plea is clear: "We need more compassion and we need more money from the government as well."
The 'Walk in Her Shoes' exhibition serves as a critical platform to amplify these voices and foster deeper understanding. Deborah Di Natale, CEO of the Council to Homeless Persons, underscores the exhibition's intent. "This exhibition asks people to sit with three of those stories and understand," she stated. "Homelessness can reach a young woman fleeing violence, a mum trying to shield her kids, or an older woman who has simply run out of options."
Addressing the Housing Shortfall
Di Natale further highlights the systemic failures contributing to this crisis, noting that Victoria remains approximately 80,000 social housing properties short of the national average. While the Victorian government announced plans in April to build an additional 7,000 social housing properties over the next decade, backed by an initial $860 million in the May budget, Ms Di Natale urges for greater urgency. Treasurer Jaclyn Symes described the investment as providing "a secure foundation," but Di Natale insists it must be "the start of a far bigger and faster building effort" to truly ensure women's safety and security.
Despite her past hardships, Vanessa Heart continues to give back, volunteering for the Housing for the Aged Action Group. Today, she cherishes her home, her two Christmas trees proudly displayed year-round – a symbol of the joy she once missed. "When I finally got the keys to my place, it felt like heaven," she shared. "I know that I'm one of the lucky ones." Her story, and countless others, serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of secure housing and the urgent need for a society that offers safety and stability to all its women.