Domestic Violence and Homelessness

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What is Domestic Violence and Homelessness?

Domestic violence is cited as one of the most significant causes of homelessness. We can define domestic violence as physical, sexual, or psychological harm inflicted on individuals by their spouses or other family members. This kind of violence can take many forms. It may include physical injuries, mental torment, or sexual harassment. It usually tends to be a combination of all three. It has been shown that domestic violence is universal. That is to say, people with all kinds of identities may face it in their lives.

We can define homelessness as a state in which an individual does not have adequate shelter. This includes people living on the streets, and those sleeping on a friend’s couch. The lack of permanent and secure housing makes them homeless.

There is a notable link between domestic violence and homelessness. Homeless youth and single adults are among the most common survivors of domestic abuse. For many homeless people, this is also the immediate cause of their homelessness. Domestic violence survivors turn to homeless shelters when they seek refuge from their abusive relationship. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 48,000 beds were set aside for domestic abuse survivors on a single night in 2019.

The most common victims of domestic violence are women and children. If they choose to remain in abusive relationships for a while, it is mostly down to two reasons. First off, they stay in the hopes that the relationship can be fixed, and the domestic situation can be improved. A mother, for instance, would try to give her relationship with an abusive husband a second chance for the sake of her children. Second, sometimes the victims have nowhere else to go. Regardless of how abusive the relationship is, at least there is a roof above their heads. Thus, out of sheer desperation, they may continue to stay for a while.

Victims usually decide to leave when the violence intensifies. The need to protect themselves and/or their children makes it necessary to escape. While leaving an abusive relationship comes as a relief, it brings its own sets of problems. As you might have guessed, homelessness is the biggest of these problems. Financial uncertainty, poverty, and fear of being alone are a few of the others. It is an unfortunate fact that domestic violence survivors have to face a lot of discrimination from landlords when trying to find a new home. Thus, homelessness becomes the new normal for these survivors.

Facts and Statistics

Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness all over the world. Following are some interesting facts and statistics about domestic violence and homelessness:

• Research suggests that domestic abuse is the leading cause of homelessness for women
• Homeless service providers set aside over 48,000 beds for domestic abuse survivors on a single night in 2019
• A study shows that 38% of women faced homelessness immediately after leaving their partner
• Research shows that poor, mentally ill, and racialized women face are the most likely to suffer from homelessness
• Indigenous women face higher rates of domestic violence as compared to non-indigenous women
• A study found that homophobia by homeless service programs acts as a major barrier to shelter for homeless LGTBQ people
• Domestic abuse survivors who have recently gained citizenship are more hesitant to report their abuser out of fear of deportation
• A survey of 133 domestic violence survivors who left emergency shelters found that:

• 7% returned to their abusive relationship
• 21% found adequate shelter without their abusive partner
• 17% claimed to have found provisional accommodation with friends or family
• 4% reported visiting the hospital
• 24% did not know where they were going next
• 8% reported going to another shelter or accommodation service

If I am a victim of domestic violence, who can help me?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is crucial to get help as soon as possible. One of the fastest ways to do this is to call a domestic violence hotline, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the USA. These services are free-of-cost and will be accessible via text or call 24/7. If English is not your first language, translation services are also available. There is support for distinct groups as well. For instance, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has services for the deaf. It also provides culturally appropriate support to Native American victims.

If you are capable of doing so, you must report your abuser to the local police. This is especially true if the situation is getting out of hand and your life is under threat. You should also consider getting a court order to stop your partner from harming you further.

What if you have no option but to escape? That is understandable, and since you are on the run now, you need some form of shelter and support. Homeless shelters and service programs can help you here. You could either search for appropriate shelters online or ask around. If you have friends and relatives willing to accommodate you, you can always stay with them. Some countries have laws for homeless persons that grant them emergency accommodation from the local authority. If this is true for your place of residence, you can avail this accommodation, too.