Homelessness, Poverty, and Domestic Abuse

In 2009, the National Coalition for the Homeless reported that one out of every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and each year 1.3 million women are victims domestic abuse.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, domestic violence is often the direct cause of homelessness for many women (endhomelessness.org). They also reported that their abusers frequently isolate them from their support networks and financial resources further increasing their chances of becoming homeless (endhomelessness.org). A Massachusetts study revealed that ninety-two percent of homeless women had been severally abused either physically or sexually at some point in their lives (endhomelessness.org). Sixty-three percent of women surveyed reported suffering violence from an intimate partner and thirty-two percent reported having been assaulted by their currant or most recent partner (endhomelessness.org).

The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that families with children were the fastest growing segment of the homeless population and that most were headed by poorly educated young single mothers who were underemployed or unemployed (2009). The APA also reported that families living far below the poverty line are exposed to higher rates of physical and sexual abuse, substance abuse, domestic violence, and family destabilization (2009). Untreated emotional and behavioral problems are much more prevalent among extremely poor families and they are more likely to live in dangerous neighborhoods further increasing their chances to be exposed to violence and other social ills as well (American Psychological Association, 2009).

Many homeless women have experienced some form of severe abuse at some point in their lives. Families living far below the poverty line are more likely to be exposed violence inside and outside the home, substance abuse, and sexual assault. Exposure to these ills can often help lead homelessness. It is our mission to help bring hope to those that have experienced stressful situations connected with extreme poverty and domestic abuse only to become homeless. T’s4Hope is always looking for donations and volunteers. Volunteers can express themselves artistically through writing or design. If you are interested, please contact us at Ts4Hope@yahoo.com or 954-867-6765.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2009).

National Alliance to End Homelessness. (n.d.). Domestic Violence. retrieved from http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/domestic_violence

National Coalition for the Homeless. (2009).