Australians struggling below the poverty line are forgoing hygiene, skipping meals, and pulling children out of school, a major charity has revealed in a survey timed with its latest fundraising appeal.
The survey, involving more than 3,500 people who rely on Salvation Army services, found over one-third of respondents said they were forced to use only cold water to wash, and 43 percent reported being unable to afford essential hygiene items such as toilet paper and menstrual products.
