The steps of Parliament House were covered with 600 teddy bears on Thursday, to draw attention to the plight of Victorian women living in constant danger.
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McAuley Community Services for Women say many of their clients are forced to choose between being homeless and living with a violent partner.
"There are so few housing options for women," the group's chief executive Jocelyn Bignold said.
One female victim of family violence spent 28 years living on the streets or in shelters, in an attempt to escape an abusive man, Ms Bignold said. Eventually she said the woman gave up trying to live in a home, because the man always found her.
Yesterday's teddy bear protest called on Victorian political parties to unveil their policies on homelessness, public housing, family violence and mental health ahead of the November 29 election.
