By Hannah McNamara
In the shadows of rising living costs and a housing crisis, two Mackay organisations - CASA and Broken Ballerina Inc. - are battling to protect society’s most vulnerable. Women and children fleeing violence are sleeping in cars, with crisis services stretched beyond capacity.
“We’re providing motel stays, but it’s just a band-aid fix,” says Jules Thompson of Broken Ballerina.
General Manager at CASA, William Stafford says cases have shockingly doubled in a year. Despite working independently, both organisations collaborate to provide housing, counselling, and support services, reinforcing the importance of local partnerships in rebuilding lives and breaking the cycle of violence and homelessness.
Broken Ballerina Founder Jules Thompson and CASA General Manager William Stafford met last Tuesday to address the pressing challenges of domestic violence and homelessness. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
From Survival To Stability
The Push For Long-Term Solutions
Two powerhouse organisations in the Mackay region have shared their insights on two of the state's most pressing social issues – domestic violence and homelessness.
Domestic violence knows no boundaries, often hidden behind the walls of a house that’s meant to be a home. Yet, with the rising cost of living and a shortage of housing, local organisations like CASA (Community Accommodation Support Agency) and Broken Ballerina Inc. are struggling to provide the help survivors desperately need to break free from the violence.
“Women and children are sleeping in their cars because they’ve got nowhere else to go,” said Jules Thompson, founder of Broken Ballerina Inc.
“So many people are coming to us, but we simply don’t have the accommodation... we can only provide a few nights in a motel... and that’s just a band-aid fix.”
CASA General Manager William Stafford highlighted the overlap between domestic violence and the housing shortage, with cases continuing to rise.
“Last week, we had nearly 10 women come into our service after fleeing. With each case, we’re dealing with individuals who have endured extreme distress and emotional trauma,” said Mr Stafford.
“When we look at the stats, they’re showing about double the numbers we were seeing a year ago, so we’ve had to adapt as an organisation to meet the increased demand for support.
“It can be challenging at times to meet that demand, but our ultimate goal is to provide housing for those experiencing homelessness - whether through crisis accommodation or helping them find a long-term place to stay.”
Ms Thompson is working towards building a Broken Ballerina Safe Haven, where survivors can receive holistic support, including accommodation, employment, education, and counselling, to break not only the cycle of domestic violence but also its ripple effects.
“Our goal is to create a safe haven where people can access support and get back on their feet - whether that’s through employment, study, or breaking the housing cycle, which would be the ultimate goal.”
Both CASA and Broken Ballerina Inc are focused on a future where survivors can easily find housing. However, they agree that it’s crucial for survivors to be willing to accept help and stick to the plans in place to avoid setbacks.
Although both organisations operate independently, they often collaborate by referring clients to either CASA for housing or Broken Ballerina for additional support, such as escape bags or counselling.
Mr Stafford expressed the importance of collaborating with local organisations to provide the best possible outcome for those in need.
“We know we’re making a difference and we have had some really great success stories,” he said.
“It’s the spirit of collaboration that really makes a difference for clients and the wider community, so it’s important for us to maintain that level of collaboration with local DV services in Mackay.”
Jules Thompson of Broken Ballerina Inc. and William Stafford of CASA are tackling domestic violence and homelessness in Mackay, providing emergency support and working towards long-term solutions. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
