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Victims of domestic violence face homelessness, leaving hundreds of women at risk for fear of becoming homeless. A new study released last month by the Benioff Initiative on Housing and Homelessness at the University of California, San Francisco, finds that at least 17 percent of homeless people left home because of intimate partner violence.
The victims endure years of violence for fear of not having a place to sleep every night. Due to lack of economic resources, many people live on the streets, putting their lives at risk and turning to drug use as an easy way out.
Dr. Anita Hargrave, associate professor at UCSF and principal investigator of the report “Toward Safety: Understanding Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness” explained that 40 percent of the report's participants have suffered domestic violence in the last 6 months, he commented during a briefing held by Ethnic Media Services.
95 percent say that they do not leave their home due to the high cost of rent, so they prefer to stay and endure the abuse. Given these figures, it is evident that housing support is a key element for more women to decide. to get out of that life that puts them at constant risk.
Jennifer White-Reid, senior vice president of Residential and Domestic Violence Legal Programs at URI (Urban Resource Institute) explained that, every night, they provide basic housing to 3 thousand people and annually to more than 40 thousand people who are facing eviction or domestic violence , also provides them with support for their financial problems.
?Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness; 40 percent of children and women in the homeless system are there because of domestic violence.?, commented Jennifer White-Reid.
She assured that the increase in domestic violence continues to disproportionately impact women of color.
In addition, he pointed out that, by reducing domestic violence, the number of homeless people will decrease.
White-Reid commented that the impact that domestic violence trauma has generated must be analyzed in order to provide the necessary help, while highlighting that another important point to consider is economic abuse, and that 98 percent of victims They are involved in it, being a key reason why they stay or return to abusive relationships.
Likewise, he commented that sometimes the abuser forces the victim to withdraw money or buy things on credit, as a way to take advantage of the situation, leaving the victim without the possibility of using credit.
Finally, he commented that work is being done to invest in education, in appropriate programs that encourage people to save lives in the face of the alarming increase in homicides by victims of domestic violence and to build a more united society that defends people who suffer violence.
Desiree Martínez, executive director of WE ARE NOT INVISIBLE, was homeless for five years and lived in her car for a long time, she also lived in shelters, garages and other temporary facilities, where she was exposed to risky situations that made her meet more people like her, showing her the value of speaking out. voice at all times.
?Today different doors have opened to speak and be heard, I have been able to have a permanent home, with a voucher for affordable housing, but, in any case, I am nervous that the rent continues to increase but the voucher does not, soon I will not be able to use it, But I am hopeful that there will be different changes that will take place.?, Desiree added.
The experts agreed that the lack of housing leaves the lives of victims of domestic violence vulnerable and at risk as a single blow or lack of respect is not enough, but the authorities act until the victim is at total risk.
Therefore, continuing to look for ways that guarantee access to housing and new opportunities to generate income will be a key element in reducing cases of domestic violence.
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