The Idea

I grew up in Tasmania with an abusive parent. Finally able to leave home at 16 I was afraid to be judged and didn’t know how to ask for help. I couch surfed, stayed in womans shelters even found a way to sleep at school all to avoid anyone knowing I didn’t live at home. I lied on my resume and stole clothes to get work in retail. I felt pressure to work instead of attend school. By 18 I was a manager in a job that truly exhausted me, I had given up on music and art and pushed away friends, but at least my named was finally on a lease. By 20 I’d attached myself to an awful boyfriend in hopes his finances could help me move to Melbourne as moving across tassie didn’t feel far enough away from my abuser.

Now I’m 23 and in an awful rental with black mold, 1 non working fire alarm, a leaking gas oven etc but I finally feel home. I live with my 2 best friends who have introduced me to their friends and I know I’ll never have to truly be alone again. With their encouragement I was finally able to ask for help. I am on dsp payments while I work on rebuilding my health, confidence and skills. Not finishing highschool makes career options more limited but I’m working towards tattooing. Learning to let myself enjoy old hobbies and forgiving myself for taking time away from work that didn’t make my life worth living. I finally feel like I can start my life.

We need more truly safe spaces where teenagers can ask for help without consequence. Centrelink intentionally makes process for applications drawn out and difficult when people need it most.
Housing assistance, I’m sure you’re aware but all my friends live week to week. No one feels secure, non of us will ever afford their own home without outside help.