THE cost of leaving a violent home has risen by 71 per cent in the past decade, new research has found, with rising housing, childcare and transport costs creating additional barriers for victim-survivors trying to achieve safety.
Research by Anglicare Sydney found the estimated immediate and follow-on costs of leaving domestic and family violence have increased from $4098 in 2016 to $7017 in 2026.
The study considered expenses including rental bonds, moving costs, temporary accommodation and the cost of rebuilding a household and establishing safety.
Anglicare Sydney General Manager of Relationships and Wellbeing Claire Dunlop said the findings highlighted the financial barriers facing people attempting to leave unsafe situations.
“To see that the cost of leaving a violent home has risen 71 per cent in 10 years is confronting, because behind every number is a person trying to reach safety,” she said.
“For many victim-survivors, leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety.”
The research found rent and bond costs had more than doubled since 2016, while fuel and childcare costs had increased by more than 50 per cent.
Ms Dunlop said victim-survivors were often forced to navigate multiple financial pressures at once while attempting to establish a new life.
“Beyond the direct costs of leaving violence, victim-survivors are trying to simultaneously find housing, transport, manage childcare, maintain or find employment, and rebuild financial stability,” she said.
“They are doing this without savings, stable housing, or reliable support networks and in many cases, around the movements or surveillance of an offender, to avoid detection.”
The organisation has also raised concerns about financial abuse, including cases where debts are accumulated in a victim-survivor’s name, potentially damaging their credit history and making it harder to secure housing or access credit.
Ms Dunlop said further support was needed to ensure people could leave unsafe situations and establish long-term financial independence.
“People know support services exist. But during a housing and cost-of-living crisis, further support is needed to ensure safety is accessible, achievable and sustainable for everyone,” she said.
Anglicare Sydney is calling for increased financial assistance for people leaving domestic and family violence, expanded social and affordable housing, and stronger employment and tenancy protections.
The organisation is also calling for the Leaving Violence Program payment to increase from $5,000 to $7,000 and for future increases to be indexed to inflation.
The full research report is available through Anglicare Sydney.