Family violence and childhoods lost: census shows ‘horrifying’ plight of homeless youths in Melbourne

Ollie, a family violence peer support worker, and Imogen, a proud Kamilaroi woman, have both experienced homelessness at a young age. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

Imogen is 24 years old – but says she’s been an adult for a very long time. The Kamilaroi woman says was forced to leave her home in regional Victoria when she was 14. She then spent most of the next decade sleeping rough and couch surfing in Melbourne.

“I’ve had every experience under the sun – rough sleeping, couch surfing, hostels. I’ve slept in train stations. I’ve slept in parks. I’ve slept [on] beaches. Anywhere you can think of,” says Imogen, who requested that her surname not be used for privacy reasons.