Domestic Violence and Homelessness: Understanding the Link

[Ali, N. (n.d.). Domestic Violence & Homelessness. Domestic Violence & Homelessness | The Homeless Hub.]

For years, people facing Domestic Violence (DV) were forced to leave their homes to protect themselves. It has been a primary cause of homelessness for many years now for women, men, and 2SLGBTQIA+ members. To better understand the link between DV and homelessness we need to recognize the depth of Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence

[United Nations. (n.d.). What is domestic abuse?. United Nations.]

An easy way to define Domestic Violence is that it is physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by your partner or spouse, as well as by other family members or by your partner's family members. Some ways to know if your partner is domestically abusive are:

1. They make fun of you or embarrass you in front of your family or friends.

2. They make you feel horrible about your accomplishments.

3. They Start blaming you for how they are feeling or acting.

4. They treat you roughly - push, shove, grab, punch, kick, or hit you.

5. They use alcohol as an excuse to hurt or say horrible things to you.

6. Do you feel scared to be around your partner?

If your answer to most, if not all, were yes, then you are in an abusive relationship.

About 127,082 victims have reported to police family violence. However, 70% of people all over Canada go through Domestic Violence but are too afraid to report it to the police due to fear that the abuser may harm them.

The Link Between Domestic Violence & Homelessness.

Many victims of violence are left without a place to live after separating from their partners. It has been found that Domestic violence is one of the most significant contributors to homelessness. When someone is in a sexually, physically, or psychologically abusive relationship or family, they are left with no choice but to leave their homes, which leads them to be homeless. Even though there are shelters for people who have left their homes due to Domestic abuse, it doesn’t change the fact that people are being bullied into leaving their homes because someone is abusing them. What we need now is to provide victims avenues for economic stability and/or independence, such as job protection, fair pay, child support, etc. Additionally, we also need funding for safe and secure shelters as well as affordable housing.

References

Ali, N. (n.d.). Domestic Violence & Homelessness. Domestic Violence & Homelessness | The Homeless Hub.

Canada, P. H. A. of. (2012, July 26). Government of Canada. Canada.ca.

United Nations. (n.d.). What is domestic abuse?. United Nations.