homelessnessda-blog

[homelessnessda-blog]

References

Akolade. (2016). Domestic and family violence amongst Indigenous communities. Retrieved from http://akolade-blog.blogspot.ca/2016/01/domestic-and-family-violence-amongst.html

 Calton, J., Cattaneo, L., & Gebhard, K. (2015). Barriers to Help Seeking for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(5), 585-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838015585318

 Crisafi, D., & Jasinski, J. (2015). Within the Bounds. Violence Against Women, 22(8), 986-1006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801215613853

 Ford, C. (2017). The Power of Domestic Violence: Why It’s Hard to Leave. Retrieved from https://womensvoicesforchange.org/the-power-of-domestic-violence-why-its-hard-to-leave.htm

 Fotheringham, S., Walsh, C., Burrowes, A., & McDonald, A. (2011). “A Place to Rest” The Role of Transitional Housing in Ending Homelessness for Women: A Photovoice Project | The Homeless Hub. Homelesshub.ca. Retrieved 1 June 2017, from http://homelesshub.ca/resource/%E2%80%9C-place-rest%E2%80%9D-role-transitional-housing-ending-homelessness-women-photovoice-project

 Government of Canada. (2016). Highlights of the National Shelter Study 2005-2014 - Canada.ca. Canada.ca. Retrieved 29 May 2017, from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/communities/homelessness/reports-shelter-2014.html#h2.3-h3.9

 Human Rights Comission. (2016). Violence against women and children a major problem for NZ. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/violence-against-women-and-children-major-problem-nz/

 Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services. (2017). LGBT Domestic Abuse An Unreported Issue. Retrieved from https://www.leewaysupport.org/blog/lgbt-domestic-abuse-an-unreported-issue/

 Little, M. (2015). Between the abuser and the street: An intersectional analysis of housing challenges for abused women. Canadian Review of Social Policy, (72), 35-64. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1758654843?accountid=13631

 Lyda, K. (2015). Complex Solutions for Complex Issues: Denver's Social Impact Bond for Permanent Supportive Housing. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/complex-solutions-issues-denvers-social-impact-bond-permanent-lyda

 Thurston, W. E., Roy, A., Clow, B., Este, D., Gordey, T., Haworth-Brockman, M., . . . Carruthers, L. (2013). Pathways into and out of homelessness: Domestic violence and housing security for immigrant women. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 11(3), 278-298. doi:10.1080/15562948.2013.801734

 Tutty, L., Ogden, C., Giurgiu, B., & Weaver-Dunlop, G. (2013). I Built My House of Hope. Violence Against Women, 19(12), 1498-1517. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801213517514

 McMillan, S. C. (2002). Profile of florida: Services in transitional housing programs for homeless women with children (Order No. 3049784). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (305468852). Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/305468852?accountid=13631

 Novac, S. (2006). Family violence and homelessness (1st ed., pp. 1-8). [Ottawa]: National Clearinghouse on Family Violence.

Staff. (2015). Sidewalk Blessings. Retrieved from http://sidewalkblessings.com/category/homeless-shelters/

 YWCA Canada. (2012). When There's No Place Like Home - A snapshot of women's homelessness in Canada | The Homeless Hub. Homelesshub.ca. Retrieved 28 May 2017, from http://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/when-theres-no-place-home-snapshot-womens-homelessness-canada

 Walsh, C., MacDonald, P., Rutherford, G., Moore, K., & Krieg, B. (2011). Homelessness and Incarceration among Aboriginal Women: An Integrative Literature Review. Pimatisiwin: A Journal Of Aboriginal And Indigenous Community Health, 9(2), 363-386. Retrieved from http://www.pimatisiwin.com/uploads/jan_20112/06WalshMacDonald.pdf

 Wellesley Institute. (2010). Precarious Housing in Canada. Retrieved 1 June 2017, from http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Precarious_Housing_In_Canada.pdf

[homelessnessda-blog]

LGBTQ women

A variety of studies suggest that intimate partner violence is an extremely widespread problem, with the LGBTQ community of women victimized at the core of it (Calton, Cattaneo, & Gebhard, 2015). To date, 44% of lesbian women and 61% of bisexual women have reported intimate partner violence within their lifetime (Calton et al., 2015). The stigma this group of women experiences as an LGBTQ community member is in itself enough to hinder reporting intimate partner violence or seeking help through services (Calton et al., 2015). Power and control tactics are used against these women's gender identity or sexual orientation, most commonly seen through threats of disclosure (Calton et al., 2015). In cases like these the fear of being outed can be extremely devastating due to the consequences it could have for women within the workforce, society or within their own family (Calton et al., 2015). The reality of the situation is that the stigma surrounding LGTBQ women creates a two way barrier by preventing those who are victimized from seeking services, and limiting the potential for helpers to lend their support (Calton et al., 2015). It has become clear to me that the systems within society must be able to provide a safe environment for those facing discrimination as not only a woman, but as an LGBTQ community member, and an intimate partner violence survivor. The problem stands with the fact that these services are limited, housing is unavailable, and shelter living often increases exposures to violence. The fact is that hate within our society is still extremely common, and the negative regard for identities that do not fit in with societal constructs and norms results in women having no where to turn for support. Homelessness is extremely real for the LGBTQ community as a whole, and women are amongst the most vulnerable, especially with increased marginalization and stigmatization.

Calton, J., Cattaneo, L., & Gebhard, K. (2015). Barriers to Help Seeking for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(5), 585-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838015585318

Photo from:

Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services. (2017). LGBT Domestic Abuse An Unreported Issue. Retrieved from https://www.leewaysupport.org/blog/lgbt-domestic-abuse-an-unreported-issue/

[homelessnessda-blog]

Photo from:

Akolade. (2016). Domestic and family violence amongst Indigenous communities. Retrieved from http://akolade-blog.blogspot.ca/2016/01/domestic-and-family-violence-amongst.html

[homelessnessda-blog]

Indigenous Women; Transgenerational Trauma

In Canada 32% of Indigenous women are shelter users compared to the 23.5% of non-Indigenous females who are also shelter users (Government of Canada, 2016). Being Indigenous in Canada means that you are already 10 times more likely to experience homelessness than a non-Indigenous person (Government of Canada, 2016). These women specifically suffer from transgenerational trauma, largely through male familial physical violence (Walsh, MacDonald, Rutherford, Moore, & Krieg, 2011). In Canadian history female victimization by their male spouse were not challenged, even after laws were put in place the social inequality that women faced within their culture remained unchanged (Walsh et al., 2011). These women face a great deal of trauma because violence against them as well as young girls is so highly embedded within their culture and social structures. These social and structural inequalities present an abundance of barriers to their ability to find stability and safety within society. Intimate partner violence often leads Indigenous women to flee from their families and communities (Walsh et al., 2011). Our social justice system in this case places women in shelters rather than removing the abuser from the home, demonstrating the rarity in the abusers being held accountable for their actions (Walsh et al., 2011). It is unjust that our justice system does not give harsher penalties to those who perpetrate domestic violence. It is even more unjust that these women often find themselves at an increased risk of homelessness as a result. The sex trade often becomes an only option of income, and with this these women are exposed to violence once again. In addition they become victims of stigma, exacerbating legal and housing issues (Walsh et al., 2011). The violence these women face intensifies as our societal systems push them further into poverty, abuse, and homeless insecurity.

Government of Canada. (2016). Highlights of the National Shelter Study 2005-2014 - Canada.ca. Canada.ca. Retrieved 29 May 2017, from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/communities/homelessness/reports-shelter-2014.html#h2.3-h3.9

Walsh, C., MacDonald, P., Rutherford, G., Moore, K., & Krieg, B. (2011). Homelessness and Incarceration among Aboriginal Women: An Integrative Literature Review. Pimatisiwin: A Journal Of Aboriginal And Indigenous Community Health, 9(2), 363-386. Retrieved from http://www.pimatisiwin.com/uploads/jan_20112/06WalshMacDonald.pdf

[homelessnessda-blog]

Transitional Housing

Research suggests that women are the fastest growing subgroup of the homeless community (Fotheringham et al., 2011) They have particular shelter and service needs that go deeper than housing with regard to emotions, trauma, and familial responsibilities (Fotheringham et al., 2011). With this being said I find it hard to understand why such little research has been done in terms of discovering the effectiveness of housing first for victimized women and their children, especially since it has had such positive affects with other subgroups. Many of the readings that I have come across stress the fact that transitional housing plays a huge role in lessoning the homeless burden, and ultimately has the capability of ending homelessness all together. However the implementation of appropriate policy is not in place to allow victimized women with the opportunity to be placed in transitional housing. The services provided through transitional housing provide women and their children with the opportunity to become active members of society once again (McMillan, 2002). Specifically educational programs, employment assistance, and most importantly support services make a huge impact in allowing women to become self reliant (McMillan, 2002). Transitional housing clearly plays an important role in allowing women to take back their life and gain the independence that was taken from the violence they endured. I worry that not enough of an emphasis is being placed within our government with regard to the positive impact it has the potential to have on the homelessness in our country. If these services are not backed by government funding than it is not possible that  women fleeing domestic violence will have the opportunity to take full advantage of such fundamental services. The reality of the situation is that until these services are available to the scope in which it is desired, these women will remain on the streets with their children, or will have no choice but to return to their abusers.

Fotheringham, S., Walsh, C., Burrowes, A., & McDonald, A. (2011). “A Place to Rest” The Role of Transitional Housing in Ending Homelessness for Women: A Photovoice Project | The Homeless Hub. Homelesshub.ca. Retrieved 1 June 2017, from http://homelesshub.ca/resource/%E2%80%9C-place-rest%E2%80%9D-role-transitional-housing-ending-homelessness-women-photovoice-project

McMillan, S. C. (2002). Profile of florida: Services in transitional housing programs for homeless women with children (Order No. 3049784). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (305468852). Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/305468852?accountid=13631

[homelessnessda-blog]

Photos from:

Staff. (2015). Sidewalk Blessings. Retrieved from http://sidewalkblessings.com/category/homeless-shelters/

[homelessnessda-blog]

Temporary Fix Without a Lasting Solution

Shelters are an option for women to seek refugee after fleeing from violent relationships (Little, 2015). Statistics Canada found that 101,000 women and their children were admitted into 569 shelters across Canada as a result of intimate partner violence within the home (Little, 2015). On a daily basis there are 4,273 women admitted into shelters, of that number 3,222 are escaping domestic violence and bringing with them 2,900 children into the shelter system (Little, 2015).As a result subsidized housing and short term emergency shelters are often used to hinder female victimization by promoting their safety and self resilience (Novac, 2006). However, these shelters and services are often at capacity, with roughly 299 women and 148 children declined entry every single day (Little, 2015). In addition to capacity limitations, the length in which these women are able to stay at the shelters is limited, and not nearly long enough to allow them to get back on their feet. The lack of supports made available for victimized women and their children speaks volumes about the systems within our country. These shelters are not permanent solutions, and do not give women the time or the resources necessary to thrive on their own. As a result they are unable to affectively meet the needs of enough women and their families. Women's shelters do not have the ability to guarantee a bridge to safe and permanent housing and they also cannot guarantee that the cycle of violence and homelessness will be solved through its services (YWCA Canada, 2012). What this means is that the system must be altered to ensure that women receive the appropriate supports to enable their stability on their own. I think that the policies present today are too broad and do not target the real issue pertaining to housing. It is unjust that these women are first abused by horrid societal gender constructs, and then continue to be exposed to them even after fleeing their abusive partners.

Little, M. (2015). Between the abuser and the street: An intersectional analysis of housing challenges for abused women. Canadian Review of Social Policy, (72), 35-64. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1758654843?accountid=13631

YWCA Canada. (2012). When There's No Place Like Home - A snapshot of women's homelessness in Canada | The Homeless Hub. Homelesshub.ca. Retrieved 28 May 2017, from http://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/when-theres-no-place-home-snapshot-womens-homelessness-canada

[homelessnessda-blog]

Photo from:

Ford, C. (2017). The Power of Domestic Violence: Why It’s Hard to Leave. Retrieved from https://womensvoicesforchange.org/the-power-of-domestic-violence-why-its-hard-to-leave.htm

“Why doesn't she just leave”

Intimate partner violence and homelessness are two interconnected, significant issues that deeply affect many women across Canada (Tutty, Ogden, Giurgiu, & Weaver-Dunlop, 2013). The decision to leave an abusive relationship is greatly impacted by the lack of affordable and safe housing available (Tutty et al., 2013). Housing specifically has been identified as the most consequential concern, one that provokes the return to an abusive partner (Tutty et al., 2013). I question why the systems put in place make it so difficult for women and their children to obtain the resources that would allow them to live in stability, separate from their abusive partners. It has become evident that leaving an abusive partner does not always ensure a sanctuary of safety will be waiting. In fact, for many abused women, fleeing brings them on a path towards homelessness (Tutty et al., 2013). Inadequacies within our social assistance programs result in the majority of social funds being put towards housing, with little to nothing left for the many other necessities of life (Tutty et al., 2013). When all fails and emergency shelters are used as a last resort, their resources only act as a temporary solution, and are extremely constrained to the amount of assistance they are able to provide (Tutty et al., 2013). I think that our government is naive in thinking that the programs put in place are anything more than a short term relief. These women face a tremendous amount of barriers that keep them from obtaining permanent housing. Funding is extremely low, and without sufficient economic backing these women are forced to either live on the streets or live under the roof of their abuser. The fact is that our systems choose the abuser over the victim, highlighting a devastating issue of injustice that must be addressed.

Tutty, L., Ogden, C., Giurgiu, B., & Weaver-Dunlop, G. (2013). I Built My House of Hope. Violence Against Women, 19(12), 1498-1517. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801213517514

[homelessnessda-blog]

Photo from:

Human Rights Comission. (2016). Violence against women and children a major problem for NZ. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/violence-against-women-and-children-major-problem-nz/

[homelessnessda-blog]

Introduction

A white man asleep on a park bench or sidewalk has been the traditional depiction of homelessness within society (YWCA Canada, 2012). However this illustration is a misrepresentation, with the reality of the situation being much more complex and diverse (YWCA Canada, 2012). The homeless population has increasingly become composed of women, families and youth due to high rates of family and domestic violence (Novac, 2006). Correspondingly, those who often become homeless within their lifetime have been subject to a family history of violence throughout their childhood, which is most prominently seen in women and female youth (Novac, 2006). Inequality with regard to gender has been present in our society as well as in our systems for many years, and it is something that has increasingly been brought to my attention first hand as woman. Despite over 100 years of progression towards women’s equality, women’s homelessness continues to rise, with street counts between 25-30% being women alone (YWCA Canada, 2012). I think that this in itself is sadly a representation of the overwhelming distortion within our society. The risks and experiences associated with homelessness are extremely gendered, equally so with regard to the provision of services (Thurston et al., 2013). Describing this as unfair would be an understatement, unfortunately it is a reality, and a barrier that women face when trying to escape intimate partner violence. Throughout this blog I want to explore the barriers and the factors that lead women into homelessness as a result of the intimate partner violence they experience.

Thurston, W. E., Roy, A., Clow, B., Este, D., Gordey, T., Haworth-Brockman, M., . . . Carruthers, L. (2013). Pathways into and out of homelessness: Domestic violence and housing security for immigrant women. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 11(3), 278-298. doi:10.1080/15562948.2013.801734

YWCA Canada. (2012). When There's No Place Like Home - A snapshot of women's homelessness in Canada | The Homeless Hub. Homelesshub.ca. Retrieved 28 May 2017, from http://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/when-theres-no-place-home-snapshot-womens-homelessness-canada