At Immigrant Women’s Speak Out, we see these realities every day, where women who faced domestic or family violence (DFV) and did not have the means to support themselves after leaving an abusive partner, have needed to access our shelter service. All of these women we support are rebuilding their lives after experiencing DFV, while also navigating housing insecurity, financial hardship and the challenge of meeting everyday living costs.

Yet amidst these challenges, stories like Maria’s demonstrate resilience. She finds purpose in tending to a community garden, where she shares food with friends and continues searching for creative ways to get by. These strengths deserve recognition, but resilience should never be mistaken for evidence that the system is working.

No one should have to spend hours proving they deserve food. No one should have to choose between shelter and eating. And no one should have to rely on emergency assistance as a long-term solution.

Raising awareness about financial distress means that we are recognising the human experiences behind the headlines. It means listening to people’s stories without judgement and being able to understand that financial hardship can be experienced by anyone.

By increasing awareness, improving immigration policies and processes, strengthening support services and addressing the underlying causes of financial insecurity, we can work towards a community where everyone has access to the essentials they need. Not just to survive, but to live with dignity and freedom.

Domestic violence and financial hardship are deeply interconnected. Anne Summer’s report found that many women who leave violent relationships experience substantial financial losses, with research showing women’s household income can fall by as much as 45 percent after leaving an abusive partner. Around half of the single mothers in the study relied on government payments as their primary source of income, highlighting how escaping violence often comes at a significant economic cost. These findings demonstrate that safety should never mean being pushed into poverty, yet for many women this remains their lived reality.

Every day, community organisations like ours support women who have made the courageous decision to leave violence, only to find themselves facing another crisis: financial hardship. No one should have to choose between safety and poverty. Supporting women after they leave violence means recognising that financial security is a critical part of recovery, safety and long-term independence.

Everyone has a role to play in creating a community where no one is left to face financial hardships alone. By supporting local community organisations, volunteering, donating where possible, or advocating for stronger social policies, we can help ensure that essential services remain available for those who need them the most. Small actions, when taken together, can make a meaningful difference in building a more compassionate and equitable community.

Reference:

Summers, A. 2022, The Choice: Violence or Poverty: Domestic Violence and its Consequences in Australia Today, University of Technology Sydney, viewed on 7th July 2026. https://www.annesummersresearch.com/the-choice.