Understanding the Link Between Domestic Violence and Homelessness
Exploring the correlation between domestic violence and homelessness, this content sheds light on the coercive behaviors that lead to women seeking assistance from homelessness support services. The discussion delves into how escaping violence remains a primary reason for seeking help and the challenges faced in providing immediate accommodation. Initiatives and resolutions aimed at addressing these issues are also highlighted.
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Presentation Transcript
Experiencing domestic violence and becoming homeless why is there still a link? Dr Angela Spinney
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Definition of Domestic and Family Violence A pattern of coercive behaviour used to maintain control over a partner, through a combination of physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, enforced social isolation and intimidation (Cunningham and Baker, 2004) 2 SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness United Nations resolution Instigated by Australia and Canada; Recognizing that violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men. ( Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/104 of 20 December,1993) 3 SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Approaches to homelessness support services - Domestic and family violence is currently the major reason for women seeking assistance from homelessness support services in Australia - Approximately half these women are unable to obtain immediate accommodation because there is insufficient accommodation available - Most are aged 25 to 45 and have children with them (Tually et al. 2008) SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness The White Paper on Homelessness - The White Paper, The Road Home: A National Approach to Reducing Homelessness (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008) - Acknowledges that domestic and family violence continues to be the major driver of homelessness and that escaping violence is the most common reason provided by people who seek help from specialist homelessness services (22% of all requests and 55% of women with children), and that many do not approach services for help at all. SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Gender issues concerning housing and homelessness - Women are particularly vulnerable to homelessness because of their economic position (Chung et al, 2000) - Gender is an important factor in determining the housing options available and choices made (Cramer and Carter, 2002). - The feminisation of poverty is linked to the changing image of homelessness in Australia. Lack of income is the primary underlying reason for being homeless in Australia (Adkins et al, 2003) SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Poverty, violence and homelessness - Male oppression of women is one of the social structures with a tendency to cause homelessness (Fitzpatrick, 2005) - Even though they try to avoid homelessness and hide their homelessness when it occurs many women still become homeless as a result of poverty and violence. (Smith, 2005, p150). SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Structural inequality Women s homelessness through domestic violence is a manifestation of structural inequalities within society (Nunan, 2005). 8 SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne Home and Safe? SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Swinburne The links between DV and homelessness Challenges for preventing women and children becoming homeless due to family violence in Australia Federal system different systems/legislation/policies and programs Courts and Police failing to enforce orders and injunctions when breaches occur Women and children need to be able to afford to remain in the family home Risk assessments need to be professionally conducted Women and children need to feel safe as well as be safe Perpetrators need to have somewhere to live or they will try to return 10 SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN
Thank you! Email for reference list; Dr Angela Spinney aspinney@swin.edu.au
