dr angela spinney experiencing domestic violence and becoming homeless – why is there still a...

Dr Angela Spinney

Experiencing domestic violence and becoming homeless – why is there still a link?

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SCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | INNOVATION | BUSINESS | DESIGN

The links between DV and homelessness

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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)

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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)

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- 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)

Approaches to homelessness support services

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- 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.

The White Paper on Homelessness

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- 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)

Gender issues concerning housing and homelessness

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- 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).

Poverty, violence and homelessness

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Structural inequality

• Women’s homelessness through domestic violence is a manifestation of structural inequalities within society

(Nunan, 2005).

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Home and Safe?

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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

Thank you!

Email for reference list;

Dr Angela Spinney

[email protected]

dr angela spinney experiencing domestic violence and becoming homeless – why is there still a...

Documents

homelessness women

homelessness slide

homelessness domestic

homelessness fitzpatrick

homelessness support

major driver of homelessness

advancement of women

domestic violence