Domestic Violence within the Homeless Community

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Domestic Violence within the Homeless Community


Source: Unsplash



The Facts

                                                                                        

According to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 233,832 are people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the United States. Of the 233,832, 50,767 are families with children. Currently, 30% of homeless people are adult women. (portlandoregon.gov) Bradley Angle, which works to support survivors of domestic violence, reported that 70% of domestic violence reports are from homeless women. (www.kgw.com) Homeless women are 1/3 of the fastest growing populations HUD homeless populations. (portlandoregon.gov) Specifically, in Portland, Multnomah County has experienced a 20% rise in homelessness in 2023, the total amount of people homeless in Portland is currently 6,297. (willametteweek.com)

                                                                    Source: Unsplash


 The Problem

                                                                                        

There is an overwhelming need for domestic violence victims to find emergency shelter after an incident or when trying to leave an abuser. Many shelters in Portland, OR have lowered capacity limits from the ever-lingering battle against COVID-19. In the past two years, the population of homeless women have raised by 15%, of that 15% nearly half have reported being victims of domestic violence. Furthermore, once homeless they are much more likely to experience violence on the streets,  this is especially true for women of color. (portlandoregon.gov) Many women feel they need to stay in domestic violent situations because of the lack of housing available to them. 

 What qualifies as abuse?

                                                                                        

  • controlling money
  • critisizes you
  • demeans you
  • physically hurts you
  • keeps you from friends and family
  • threatens to "out" you
  • refuses birth control or keeps you from using birth control
  • keeping you off leases, mortgages or bank accounts
  • threatens you based of immigration status
  • keeps you from finding a job or attuning school
  • threatens to report your immigration status
  • controls who you see or what you do
  • forces you to engage in sexual activity
  • threatens to harm your children or take you from them
  • hurts members of your family
* abuse can effect people of all backgrounds regardless of race, age, disability,sexual orientation or gender.


 What we can do?

                                                                                        

It is very important that we work with healthcare and domestic violence partners to try and remedy this problem. If you suspect someone is in an abusive situation, report it. Make sure to provide resources to the victim for counseling, emergency shelters and legal assistance. Push to pass laws to protect women when it comes to evictions and renting. We need to be able to provide confidential reporting for all DV victims. Currently the stay limit at a emergency shelter is only 60 days, we need to extend this time to allow women and families enough time to get back on their feet. 


 Portland DV Resources

                                                                                        

Bradley Angle


Clackamas Women's Services 


Raphael House


West Women Salvation Army


 Sources

                                                                                        

KGW8 News

Portland Gov

HUD

Wilamette Week

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