Melbourne Airport is hosting a car park sleepout to raise awareness and funds for women and non-binary people experiencing or at risk of homelessness due to family violence.
The sleepout is scheduled for September 5, 2024. The immersive campaign, called “Live Like Them Challenge”, invites participants to sleep in their cars for one night at the top level of the Terminal 4 car park to simulate a small part of the experience that thousands of people face every night.
“Imagine sleeping in your car, feeling cold, hungry, and isolated. Now imagine doing it by choice, to support people who have no choice. By sleeping in your car for one night, you will help not-for-profit organizations Juno and McAuley provide invaluable support for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless after fleeing their home due to family violence,” the airport said in a statement.
Tickets to participate cost AU 100 ($65) per person and donations will also be accepted. The airport said that all funds raised will support the work of Juno and McAuley Community Services for Women, two organizations that support, empower and advocate for women, non-binary people and their children facing homelessness and family violence across the north and west of Melbourne. The event aims to raise at least AU100,000 ($648,000).
“The Live Like Them Challenge is a unique opportunity for our community to come together, raise awareness and make a tangible difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness after family violence,” Melbourne Airport CEO Laurie Argus said in a statement.
“We’ll be choosing to be there on the night, and we hope that through the experience participants will gain some understanding of the challenges faced by people who don’t have that same choice,” Argus added.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), more than 23,000 women and 13,000 children who had experienced family violence were assisted by homelessness services in 2022-2023.
Australian economic consultancy Equity Economics said that each year 7,960 women in Australia return to live with people who use violence because they have nowhere affordable to live.
