Leaving is not only the most dangerous time for a woman escaping violence, it could also send them into poverty.
Janine was forced to give up her full-time teaching role and couch surf with her children at friends' homes for months after leaving a violent 30-year relationship.
Her former partner then continued to abuse her financially and through the family court system.
"Leaving did not end the abuse. It changed its form, and the court became one of the places it continued," Janine said.
"You cannot hold down work with no fixed address when you are moving every week.
"The impact of violence runs for years after you leave."
She is one of 3000 mothers who informed Single Mother Families Australia's (SMFA) submission to the Second Action Plan, under the National Plan to End Violence against Women, calling for a 12-month safety supplement.
Currently, victim-survivors are entitled to a one-off Leaving Violence Payment of $1500 in cash, $3500 in vouchers, and Centrelink income security payments.
SMFA is calling for a $23,000 supplement to be paid monthly via instalments over one year to all survivors of family and domestic violence, to assist in securing housing, accessing health services, counselling and legal help.
Janine said a safety supplement payment would have helped her leave sooner, because leaving abuse "is not a single moment with a single cost".
"It is the support a woman needs to keep her children housed, fed and to begin to recover. I urge the government to introduce it," she said.
SMFA will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek at Parliament House on Wednesday at a national leadership roundtable for input on the Second Action Plan.
Chief executive Terese Edwards said the payment would help women feel less scared to leave, and prevent them returning to their abuser.
"The fear of poverty keeps women and children unsafe and if they leave, poverty often drives them back to abuse," she said.
"Australia's social security system was shaped at a time when violence against women and children was not understood in the way it is today.
"Our safety net must reflect the realities of 2026 and beyond and match the courage of women raising children while navigating trauma, recovery and the ongoing challenges of rebuilding their lives."
Ms Plibersek has been contacted for a response.
