Domestic Violence In Homeless Families

Rather than approach domestic violence as a direct cause of homelessness, one might hope to understand how such violence could help create the circumstances that might make a woman more susceptible to homelessness. Domestic violence and poverty may intersect with other issues to produce the circumstances that often leave women no other choice but to seek temporary shelter

In the face of abuse and assaults, knowing that she is a single mother with six children often confronts two kinds of difficult decisions. First, how will she protect herself and her children from the physical dangers posed by her partner? Second, how will she provide for her children? This second set of social and economic risks are central in each battered woman’s calculation of her children’s safety. If, for example, a woman decides to leave her partner to protect herself and her children, where will she find housing and money to feed her family? Who will

In one study which consisted of a subgroup of 11 women, eight of the eleven women witnessed domestic violence as children, five of the eleven reported sexual abuse, and seven of those eleven women had reported that domestic violence and abuse within their lives continued into adulthood in their domestic relationships(Mayock, Sheridan, 2013). The pattern of abuse within this subgroup of women led to their homelessness. Some started a life of homelessness at a very young age, when they ran away from home in order to flee the abuse and violence they were subjected to in their home lives. Many of the same women left abusive relationships in adulthood with their only resort being to live on the streets.

According to the National Coalition for the homeless, when a woman decides to leave an abusive relationship she often has nowhere to go and with the lack of affordable housing and long waiting lists for assisted housing means that many women and their children are forced to choose between abuse at home and life on the streets (National Coalition for the homeless, 2009). Majority of these women are force to face these circumstances because their husband or partners were the beard winners in the homes and most them were stay at home moms, which may hinder them from finding a job because they may not be qualified or simply do not have the resources. These women often have poor credit records and employment histories because of the violence they have experienced. National Coalition for the homeless also stated that landlords often discriminate against victims if they have a protection order or any other indicator of domestic violence and if violence occurs in the home, landlords can evict their tenants, resulting in a victim becoming homeless because she was abused (National Coalition for the homeless,

Intimate Partner Violence has affects individuals from all Backgrounds, Genders, and Socio economic statuses (Women Against Abuse, 2012). Therefore, Intimate Partner violence may and can overlaps with poverty, homelessness, and job instability that suggestively limits victim’s abilities to escape abuse (Women Against Abuse, 2012). There is lack of housing which has widely spread poverty and high rates of community violence (Women Against Abuse, 2012). This; of course, has resulted in impossible difficulties for adults seeking long-time and sustainable safe living situations. These individuals who have experience Intimate Partner Violence are likely to experience under or unemployment due to the cycle of power and control implicated in Intimate Partner Violence dynamics (Women Against Abuse, 2012).

Sullivan and Bybee (1999) stated that one way that the abuser can control the victim is through social isolation, cutting off any social ties to family and friends to prevent the person from turning to someone for help. Having such ties has been helpful in the past when victimized women have left their assailants with the help of friends and family members. Aside from social support, another important support is community resources to respond to domestic violence, which is very helpful to decrease risk of abuse by their perpetrators. One of the main reasons that abused women return to their abusive partners is that they are unemployed and have no way to financially support themselves. Other resources important in reducing the risk of domestic violence are: “medical attention, child care, affordable housing and safe housing, and help from social service agencies” (p. 44).

This is particularly clear when analysing how social exclusion impacts upon victims of domestic abuse. The nature of domestic abuse is not only violence in the physical sense; it can also be psychological, sexual and financial (Women’s Aid, 2007). Consequently victims of domestic abuse can find it extremely difficult to keep employment (Sachs, 1999) thus they can become financially dependent upon the abuser (Norman and Barron, 2011) therefore poverty can become a prevalent problem.

Domestic violence is a serious issue in the United States with alarming statistics. On average, there are 20 people physically abused by an intimate partner, which “equates to more than 10 million men and women in one year” (Statistics 2014). To prevent from being physically abused, raped or even murdered, choosing homelessness seems to be an optimal solution than staying in the current environment. Whether they are men or women, they suffer from not just the abuse, but also the economic, physical and mental impact. Victims usually lose about 8 million days of paid work each year, and around 21 percent to 60 percent of victims lose their jobs due to intimate partner violence (Rothman, Hathaway, Stidsen & de Vries 136). Staying in their

Prevalent domestic violence has prompted shelters to be established for protection from abusers. In an effort to better assess the needs of survivors and establish intervention and prevention strategies studies have been initiated to help identify, develop, and adapt needed support for proven program and practices.

Such problems impede their recovery and ability to regain control over their lives (Phillips & Park, 2006). This results because domestic violence directly affects women’s financial security in key areas of life: debts, bills, accommodation, legal issues, health, transport, migration, employment, social security and child support (Arney & Scott, 2010). In this regard women need financial support to bridge the financial gap so that they become self-sufficient. In addition, Arney & Scott (2010) state that domestic violence is traumatizing and counselling services should be availed for social and emotional support.

Families were excluded from the study if they were not staying in emergency housing, and if they did not speak English or Spanish. In this study the homelessness victims that suffered from domestic violence is not a part of the homeless count or study (which does not give a clear reported population of homelessness). Eighteen agencies sheltered families that met the eligibility criteria for the study. The important findings of this study center on two aspects of the children in homeless families their health status and their use of health services. Homelessness represents a chaotic period of unmet needs, stress and vulnerability (Miller &Lin,

Vulnerability is the level to which a community, person or society is unable to anticipate, deal with, battle and recover from hardship. The United States is home to many vulnerable populations to include but are not limited to; children, pregnant women, elderly people, malnourished people, disabled veterans and domestic violence survivors. These individuals belong communities that have been systematically oppressed through lack of representation, poor service availability and limited resources. Domestic violence survivors are members of a diverse and complex community. Diverse in a sense that domestic violence effects mainly women from different ethnicities, ages groups, and social status. Complex because often times, it is a community of

My group will be focusing on women who are domestic violences victims/ survivors who have become homeless. There are many reasons that have led these women to homeless. One of the main factors is the head of the household are usually the men. Where some women may not have to work.Therefore, when they leave they leave with nothing. No job, no skills, no money and no shelter. In these cases it makes it extremely difficult when there are children involved. The mothers face hard times to provide food, clothing and shelter for the children. The children may be unable to go to school due to no address to provide to the school. Also mothers may face a hard time getting a job due no address and paperwork to provide to jobs.

Complications in relationships can end in an individual or a family without a home. Sometimes an issue with family or friends can drive someone out of their home to living on the street. The loss of a loved one who is the main source of income can force their family to move out due to the expenses of housing. According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women. Without enough income, these women choose to live on the streets rather than continue their abuse. A family

Violence against women works to disregard women as viable members of society. Violent acts continue to marginalize women and pigeonholed them to less than desirable life circumstances that can negatively impact their health. Women seeking homelessness are less likely to frequent trips to hospitals and doctors when their concerned with the financial and physical security of their families (Silver, Pañares). Furthermore, violence in the lives of these women serves as a barrier to employment. There are social consequences with domestic violence, such as job loss, loss of job productivity, and social isolation that reinforce the pattern of violence (Silver, Pañares).