Behind the scenes
Elena's story
The homelessness crisis is often hidden in places that should never have to be called a home, especially for children. Thousands fleeing to safety have been forced to end up sleeping rough in conditions such as Elena and her two children, who fled to one of the many tent cities emerging across Australia, with just a few personal possessions and a tent. Read Elena's full story below.
This story contains references to domestic and family violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence or needs support, see support services available here.
Elena's story is represented at the IKEA Tempe store
Elena is 37 years old. Her children are Jacob, 12, and Ana, 5. David and Elena met in their 20s.
Elena didn’t have much relationship experience at the time – so while David’s early romantic gestures and deep interest in Elena felt intense, it also made her feel so special. After they got married, however, things began to unravel.
David revealed he had extreme debt, which he expected Elena to share. Despite his own financial woes, he took full control of their income, giving Elena only a small weekly allowance that barely covered essentials. From the time their first child Jacob arrived, David’s control escalated significantly – he began to lock Elena in their bedroom regularly when he left the house, and he dictated every aspect of Jacob’s early life. When their second child, Ana, began to show signs of a developmental delay, David accused Elena of causing it and refused to allow Elena to get a diagnosis or early intervention support.
When Elena would try to leave David, he would threaten to tell the courts that she had abused Jacob and Ana – losing her two children was Elena’s greatest fear and she had no resources to support her in a legal battle with David, so she stayed.
One night after an argument, David locked Elena in their bedroom and took the children from their house. They were gone for hours, and Elena was terrified for the children’s safety. They returned home, healthy and well, but the depth of her fear that night was a turning point for Elena, and she decided to try leaving again.
Recognising she needed support, Elena contacted a domestic and family violence service for the first time – but no local refuges were immediately equipped to support Ana’s complex needs. Until a placement could be found, Elena needed a safe place to go with what little money she could access.She had had seen a homeless community featured on the news recently – people living in tents in a public park near the city. Thinking David would be unlikely to search for them there, she travelled with the kids to the park, stopping on the way to buy a cheap tent and some supplies.
While safe from David, living in a tent was tough. With nothing to cook on, getting breakfast or dinner meant eating dry cereal or leaving the tent – which meant packing the few precious things they had taken with them. The weather was getting warmer, and Ana had always struggled to regulate when she was hot. They couldn’t tell family and friends where they were living, for fear of David finding them, so all three felt lonely and isolated. They were living among strangers, and unable to ever feel safe. Elena created as much routine, calm and connection as she could through activities like reading books together, playing in local parks, and making sure the kids always had their favourite foods to eat. Many of their new neighbours helped where they could, recognising the challenging situation Elena was in. But it was never a home. Thankfully, they were soon referred to a Save the Children Australia refuge weeks later. The refuge, though temporary, was an important step in getting Elena, Jacob and Ana critical support. The family connected with pediatric services so Ana could receive a diagnosis and support. Jacob, angry at both of his parents and carrying deep trauma, had a judgement-free space and trusted people to talk to. And Elena accessed mental health services to support her complex PTSD and grow her parenting skills in a safe way. David has since moved interstate – but that doesn’t mean Elena’s challenges are over. Refuges aren’t meant for long-term stays, and there is little affordable housing available for families like Elena’s. To retain custody of her children, Elena must stay in the same area as David’s family – but she can’t afford to rent a property there. Because David no longer lives in the state, Elena is not considered in immediate danger, so she’s not eligible for further refuge placements; and Ana’s complex needs mean most homelessness services can’t support them. Elena is doing what she can to keep her family together and safe, and the refuge team are helping her to find every possible housing option – but even with support, she’s caught in a system that is underfunded, fragmented and not designed to support complex family needs. Women and children are falling through the gaps, unable to imagine a life beyond survival, let alone a future in which they can thrive.
