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Domestic Violence Is the Leading Cause Of Homelessness

By: Arnnee Uthayakumaran

Growing up in a south Asian culture, I recognized that patriarchy existed. I am very angry about how women are treated and are told to act. Women are told that they should be obedient to their partners, less assertive and quiet. The rate of domestic violence in the South Asian culture is extremely high (Asian specific institute and gender-based violence, 2019). Most of the domestic violence incidents are unreported because there is social stigma attached to domestic violence. Many individuals will not report the domestic violence they encounter with their partners. As I am in the Social Work program, I came to a realization that domestic violence can lead to homelessness. Intimate partner violence can interfere with housing. Housing is a significant concern that can force individuals to return to an abusive relationship. Homeless women are former shelter residents who have failed to find adequate and safe housing. A study in the United States and United Kingdom have found that twenty-five to fifty percent have reported housing problems. Violence against women is increasingly becoming the cause for homelessness. Survivors of domestic violence face significant discrimination from landlords when trying to find a home (Homelesshub, 2021). Emergency shelters are the first line response for individuals to find a safe place. Emergency shelters only provide short-term accommodations such as a couple of weeks to a couple of months (Homelesshub, 2021). There is a huge injustice for individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Domestic violence survivors continue to face homelessness due to lack of financial resources, social stigma and temporary shelters.                

Emergency shelters is often seen as a resource to for women experiencing domestic violence. Before I came into the Social Work program, I believed that shelters were a great resource for individuals experiencing homelessness. I realized that shelters are only a temporary solutions for individuals. It does not look at the need for stable housing in the future. I learned about the conditions that homeless individuals live in and I was shocked. Women who are victims of domestic violence are being turned away from shelters in Canada due to lack of resources and funding. One in five shelters have not seen increases in funding in ten or more years (Bay, 2019). Shelters have been doing the same work every year with less money due to rent, taxes and food cost increasing. Shelters are taking more women and children than the amount of beds they have because of funding (Bay, 2019). As I was doing research on domestic violence survivors using shelters, I recognized there is a lack of research. I believe there can be many changes in our system to end domestic violence survivors experiencing homelessness. There is a lack of access to services for long-term change. I believe it would be beneficial for individuals to have access to long-term counselling. Long-term counselling can benefit women to heal from the trauma they experienced from their partners. Domestic violence has lead to homelessness, and if we do not fix the root cause they will always be on the streets. Women need to heal from their trauma in order to be able to support themselves.   

I believe there needs to be more awareness and education on domestic violence. I believe there can be workshops at schools to bring awareness on domestic violence. As I entered the social work program at university, I realized it opened up my eyes to different perspectives. I was not aware about how Indigenous people are treated, violence towards gender minority groups, racism in the healthcare system and western approaches. I believe education has given me a perspective on the injustice in our society. I believe it will be beneficial to have workshops in elementary school, highschool and post-secondary. In the curriculum, schools need to incorporate education on domestic violence. It is important for individuals to know the warning signs of domestic violence. People will be interested in pursuing relationships and I believe it can protect individuals if they are aware about domestic violence. Romantic relationships start to become more important during mid-adolescence I believe primary prevention can allow teens to be aware of the ways which violence can occur in relationships (Wolfe & Jaffe, 1999). Primary prevention programs can be delivered at schools involving activities aimed at increasing awareness and eliminating myths about relationship violence (Wolfe & Jaffe, 1999). Activities that teens can be involved in is speeches from teen dating violence survivors, classroom discussions, peer support groups, presentations and encouraging teens to examine behaviours (Wolfe & Jaffe, 1999). Additionally, public awareness campaigns such as public service announcements and advertisements can be primary intervention of domestic violence for adults. These campaigns provide warning signs of domestic violence and community resources.

Furthermore, marginalized communities such as people of colour and Indigenous people are at a high risk of intimate partner violence and homelessness. Canada has a high population of immigrants that report they were landed immigrant or permanent resident (Milaney, 2020). Immigrants were admitted under economic class, family class and refugees (Milaney, 2020). Many of the immigrants reside in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta (Milaney, 2020). The Canadian immigration policy is to promote settlement, immigrants face many barriers such as access to childcare, employment issues, access to healthcare and access to affordable housing (Milaney, 2020). Research has found that immigrants have precarious status which is the lack of work authorization, remain permanently in country and social citizenship rights (Milaney, 2020). Many immigrant women fall into this category if they enter through sponsorship because federal legislation control immigration processes. The Canadian point system puts immigrant women at a high risk of intimate partner violence. Immigrant women are forced to be dependent on their partners because of the lack of resources they have access too. Immigrant women are unable to work if they are sponsored by their spouses. Immigrant women are financially dependent on their spouses which is a factor that does not allow them to leave the abusive relationship. Immigrant women may not have a strong social support coming to a new country due to leaving family and friends back home (Sorourain, 2022). Immigrant women may have a lack of fluency in English which gives them the lack of ability to support themselves and ask for support (Sorourain, 2022). Society has created gender role expectations which has created women to stay in abusive relationships to take on the role as a caregiver and housewife (Sorourain, 2022).

Lastly, Indigenous women and girls experience the most profound forms of housing need in Canada. The National Inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls state that Indigenous women and girls are twelve times more likely to be murdered (Schwan et al., 2020). Research indicates that Indigenous identity increases the likelihood of violent victimization (Schwan et al., 2020). There is a lack of homeless shelters in Indigenous communities and on reserves. National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women indicates that many northern reserves no safe houses or shelters for Indigenous women fleeing from violence (Schwan et al., 2020). I believe it is important to have financial support for Indigenous housing, anti-violence service and Indigenous run shelters (Schwan et al., 2020). The national report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murder Indigenous Women, states that the government only provides funding for forty-one shelters. Many shelters in Inuit communities are extremely small and most communities can be accessible by plane (Schwan et al., 2020). Many Inuit women are long distance away from the nearest shelter. I believe shelters is a temporary solution and it will be beneficial if long-term housing is available. Long-term housing can create a permanent solution for individuals. Women will be able to gain independence and support their children with the resources given. Women are unable to stay for a long period of time at shelters and become homeless again or return to their abusive relationship. It will be beneficial if women transition from the shelters into long-term housing to support themselves in the long run. The old buildings in downtown Toronto can become long-term housing apartments. A high amount of funding is not needed if old buildings can be repaired.

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