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When you think of homelessness, what image comes to mind?
An old man with a wine bottle on a park bench?
A desperate young person huddled in a sleeping bag in a public toilet?
As Australia searches for answers to the crisis of homelessness, there is a group of silent victims who must not be forgotten – mothers and their children escaping abuse and domestic violence.
THE TERRIBLE FACTS
- Each year, more than 350,000 Australian women are victims of domestic violence
- Around 263,000 children live with family violence
- Women and children escaping domestic violence face high risk of homelessness
It’s rare you will see these people in parks or public places. They’ ll seek out friends or sleep in a car. Mothers may trade themselves to men in return for shelter for their kids.
When these victims arrive at a Salvos Crisis Centre, the pain is raw. Like little Christopher. He witnessed his mum bashed by his dad. He was abused himself . And when mum and kids ran away from home, Christopher watched his mum sink into depression so bad that 7 year old Christopher had to become ‘man of the house’, caring for his little sisters.
He even asked Billie, the Crisis Centre Manager, for a job because mum doesn’t have enough mone”. Through the Salvos you help children like Christopher and his sisters. You rescue families at risk, help them recover from trauma, and support them to restore a safe happy life.
Please give your urgent Red Shield gift NOW.
This is tough work. As Billie puts it , we don’t get to see a lot of‘happy ever after’ endings. What gives us hope are the small signs of progress. Like Christopher smiling for the first time in a
long time when he ‘got the job’ and got his ‘pay’.
Helping these silent victims of homelessness can only happen when we realise we’re all in this together, and suppor t each other. That’s what you do through the Salvos.
Please send your urgent Red Shield gift now. God bless you for caring.
The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal
 can provide blankets and a Food Voucher for a family who needs emergency care
 can help provide support and counselling for traumatised family members
 can provide one night’s crisis accommodation for a family at desperate risk
Whatever you give is precious!
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This drawing was done by a 6 year old girl at a Salvos Crisis Centre. Some research suggests that when children draw themselves without hands, it’s a sign of severe emotional trauma. The lack of hands represents lack of control.
Two children, aged 4 and 7, were taken into Salvos care after their father at tacked their mother with a sword, and almost killed her. The children saw it happen. They don’ t talk about it, but explain: “Daddy’s not well in the head. ”
The 4 year old girl told the Salvos worker her daddy was in jail because he hurt mummy. Later she said her daddy had also grabbed her by the hair and bashed her head. Then she said, “I’m ok now.”
These are real life stories from Salvos Crisis Centres. Identities and some details have been changed to protect the children.
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