This is not a place you can call home

A partnership that puts a spotlight on domestic violence

A car that is being used as a home. A sofa in a friend’s house that serves as bed for the night – or many nights. A tent that provides shelter from harsh weather. These are the confronting realities in Australia where more than 120,000 people experience homelessness every night. 

In 2024, in partnership with Save the Children, IKEA Australia launched ‘This is not a home’, a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness driven by domestic and family violence – the single largest driver of homelessness among women. 

Installations at the IKEA Tempe store brought homelessness out of the shadows, highlighting real-life scenes to customers as they shopped. Online, customers were able to read the stories behind the scenes and deepen their understanding of this national crisis.

These are the stories behind the scenes …

These stories contain references to domestic and family violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence or needs support, see support services listed at the bottom.

Support women and children’s journey of recovery

Save the Children has been supporting women and children facing domestic and family violence in Australia for more than 30 years. And through our partnership with IKEA, nearly 900 children, young people and women who have experienced domestic and family violence have received life-changing support, thanks to:

• The creation of safe and child-friendly places in refuges through child-led design workshops.
• The delivery of 150 household packs for women and children as they transition from refuges – drawing from IKEA range with free delivery.
• Support for the long-term recovery of women and children into their own housing – with IKEA providing 29 people with rent assistance.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, or needs support, the following helplines are available:

• 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7)
• NSW Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463 (24/7)
• Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800 (24/7)
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7)
• NSW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Victim Services - 1800 019 123 (9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday)
• QLIFE - for LGBTI people and their families - 1800 184 527 (3 pm - 12 am every day)
• Link2Home – for urgent accommodation needs – call 1800 152 152 (24/7)

To learn more about Save the Children's work in Australia, go to 54reasons.org.au.