Housing and Sexual Violence

Overvie w of national surve y: January 2010

In 2008, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center partnered with the Victim Rights Law Center, National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project, Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, University of New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania Community Legal Services to develop and conduct a national survey on housing and sexual violence.

Goals This report provides a The goals of the survey were three summary of key survey fold to obtain data that would: findings. For more details, contact the National Sexual 1. Further the understanding Violence Resource Center: of the intersections between [email protected] sexual violence, housing, and or 877-739-3895. homelessness; 2. Help to identify the needs of victims and advocates around housing issues; Respondents 3. Help to inform policy and programmatic strategies. Two hundred and thirty-nine individuals responded to the The survey was conducted online survey. The largest percentage of using Survey Monkey, an online respondents, 59%, identified as survey tool, and was launched in advocates at rape crisis centers. The February 2009. Links to the survey second largest group, 22%, identified were sent out to national listservs as “other.” This included a wide and other networks, including state range of roles such as social worker, coalitions and local sexual violence victim advocate in law enforcement, programs. The survey was also sent advocate at comprehensive out in hard copy form to increase violent crime center, dual program accessibility. There were 239 advocate*, homeless shelter respondents from 33 states and one advocate, mental health advocate, U.S. Territory. therapist/clinician, probation officer, youth advocate, cultural

NSVRC • 123 North Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025 • Toll free: 877-739-3895 • www.nsvrc.org • [email protected] Six percent of respondents were mental health providers. Four percent were law enforcement officers. Three percent of respondents were attorneys. Three percent were medical providers. Three percent were housing providers. Three percent were university-based advocates. Less than one percent of respondents identified as advocates for people with disabilities. Ten percent of respondents indicated that they provide direct legal representation to sexual violence victims and survivors.

*Dual program advocates worked at agencies addressing both sexual and domestic violence.

Respondents continued Roles of Respondents affairs advocate, advocate for immigrant 3% 1.00% women, prevention educator, funder, planned 3% 3% Advocate at RCC parenthood educator/advocate, military 3% advocate, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, 4% Other and AmeriCorps volunteer. Six percent of Advocate at coalition respondents were advocates at coalitions. Six 6% Mental health provider percent of respondents were mental health Law enforcement providers. Four percent were law enforcement 6% Attorney officers. Three percent of respondents were 59% attorneys. Three percent were medical Medical provider providers. Three percent were housing 22% Housing provider providers. Three percent were university- Campus advocate based advocates. Less than one percent Disabilities advocate of respondents identified as advocates for people with disabilities. Advocates at RCC Attorneys

Other Medical providers

Advocates at coalition Housing providers *Dual program advocates worked at agencies Mental health providers Campus advocates addressing both sexual and domestic violence. Law enforcement Disabilities advocates

Thirty-three states and one U.S. Territory* represented in the survey

1.) Arizona 11.) Kentucky 21.) North Carolina 31.) Virginia 2.) Arkansas 12.) Maine 22.) North Dakota 32.) Washington 3.) California 13.) Massachusetts 23.) Ohio 33.) West Virginia 4.) Connecticut 14.) Michigan 24.) Oklahoma 34.) Wisconsin 5.) Florida 15.) Minnesota 25.) Oregon *Gaps in participation2 6.) Guam 16.) Missouri 26.) Pennsylvania occurred in the Rocky 7.) Indiana 17.) Nebraska 27.) South Carolina Mountain states, 8.) Illinois 18.) New Hampshire 28.) Tennessee deep South, and U.S. Territories. Efforts to 9.) Iowa 19.) New Jersey 29.) Texas bridge these gaps are 10.) Kansas 20.) New York 30.) Vermont being developed.

2 Housing and Sexual Violence Questions Qualitative findings Participants shared a range of qualitative A combination of quantitative and qualitative responses, depicting the experiences of questions were developed and organized around sexual violence victims and survivors in the six main content areas: areas of housing and homelessness. Some of the common themes that emerged from the 1. Housing and homelessness from a broad qualitative responses include the following: perspective

2. Housing and people with disabilities l non-offending parents and children losing 3. Housing and people in later life their homes after perpetrators of child sexual abuse — who are also main breadwinners — 4. Subsidized housing leave the home or are incarcerated; 5. Advocates’ needs l landlords being unresponsive in making 6. Policy recommendations residences physically safe and secure; l unsafe living environments contributing Key findings to rape and other crimes, i.e., robbery; l lack of awareness and sensitivity about 1. Housing and homelessness sexual violence among property owners/ from a broad perspective landlords; l sexual exploitation of tenants by landlords; Quantitative findings l victims/survivors having inadequate funds l One third of respondents report that up to to break leases and secure alternative 20% of victims and survivors struggle to find housing; or keep housing because of sexual violence. l victims/survivors couch-surfing and living l Over one third of respondents report that out of car because of inability to secure safe up to 20% of victims and survivors became housing; and homeless as a result of sexual violence. l teen victims/survivors being kicked out of l Twenty percent of respondents report that their homes by parents after reporting child between 61% and 80% of victims were sexual abuse. sexually assaulted where they were living. Participants quotes The most common forms of sexual violence “This previously thriving and successful reported included the following: individual was forced to jump from couch to couch, occasionally sleeping in her car.” l Rape (86%) l Child sexual assault (78%) “We have also worked with women who l Marital/partner rape (76%) were being assaulted as a form of ‘rent,’ and l Incest (73%) were forced to leave when they refused to l Acquaintance rape (70%) continue with the assaults.” l Date rape (67%)

National survey 3 “Some victims complain of non-responsive “When it comes to children who are landlords, when they ask for locks to be assaulted by the breadwinner in the house, changed, windows/screens repaired, having the breadwinner is taken into custody and buzzers or doors being locked in secure the family is in danger of losing their home buildings.” because of lack of funds.”

“Many times, victims are asked to leave if “She was raped in her room by another the landlord feels the safety of the building resident of the hotel who gained entry is now compromised.” through the door that could not be locked.”

“We have clients who … cannot afford to pay “I have had clients who had to break leases in for deposits and other moving expenses as a order to find safety. This has been very costly result of being traumatized. They often stay to the client.” in dangerous relationships due to lack of financial stability.” “We worked with a woman who was sexually assaulted in her apartment complex. She “We worked with a few teen women this year wanted to move but the property manager who were assaulted by their mother’s new was unwilling to work with her.” partner and were asked to leave their homes due to reporting.”

4 Housing and Sexual Violence “They are preyed upon because they do not recognize warning signs — I have three clients who were sexually assaulted by neighbors they had entrusted with their keys in the event of medical emergencies.”

“Disabled victim needing to move out of current housing due to caretaker agency inability to protect. Challenges finding appropriate housing for a client with specific needs.”

Key findings “Shelters are not accessible — no ramps, doors not wide enough for wheel chairs, no 2. Housing and people with disabilities bedrooms on first floor, no personal care available, difficulty communicating needs Qualitative findings to shelter staff, unable to cook [or] clean as Participants shared many barriers that people other residents are required to do. Other with disabilities experience in the housing arena. shelter residents’ intolerance of disabilities.” Common themes included the following: “They are asked to leave the housing in l vulnerability to assaults by caregivers who which the attack occurred … they generally provide essential goods and services; cannot find another apartment at the same l lack of culturally responsive, accessible, cost … they have become adjusted to their affordable, safe housing and shelter; apartment with their disability and find it l disabilities create vulnerabilities to sexual difficult to consider learning how to adapt to violence; and another living space.” l caregivers’ control of finances and major decisions, i.e., to relocate. “Having their finances controlled by a caretaker/family member/intimate partner Participants quotes which prohibits relocation, finding affordable “They are at the mercy of those coming in to housing that accommodates their physical help with daily care or provide daily meals. needs, limited income which prohibits These people are basically strangers and will accessing safe, affordable housing.” also lie to them and threaten to not continue services if they tell, or give them a fear “It is difficult enough to find buildings that they/the victim will be evicted or have to that have more than the most basic of leave the program. Some also have very poor requirements for people with disabilities and language, mobility to flee or fight off a it is therefore harder to move — which can predator.” leave people vulnerable …”

National survey 5 Key findings 3. Housing and people in later life

Qualitative findings Participants shared a range of qualitative responses about the barriers people in later life experience in housing. Common themes included the following:

l fixed incomes limit individuals’ abilities to relocate after sexual violence has occurred; l physical and cognitive disabilities associated with aging increase vulnerabilities to victimization by caregivers and others; l vulnerabilities to assaults by caregivers, who are depended upon for essential goods and services by people in later life; l long waiting lists for safe, affordable housing for older adults; and “Waiting lists for housing — including those l other crimes in housing for older adults for the elderly — combined with the lack of contribute to their risk for victimization. affordable housing that someone with a fixed income can provide, the difficulty in moving Participants quotes to get away from an unsafe situation and that “Living on fixed income. i.e., financial ability the elderly under report at even higher rates to relocate in times of emergencies after a than the rest of the population.” [sexual assault] incident may be difficult.” “Elders struggle with vulnerability because of “Elders who suffer from memory loss or lack of mobility, fear due to physical inability physical mobility issues are usually at a to fight back, and isolation from friends and higher risk of suffering sexual violence and family.” not reporting it or recognizing that what is happening is wrong.” “Elders in this community are often forced into unsafe living circumstances where they “This population, like people with disabilities, cohabitate with those who have substance may be more confined to their homes or abuse problems. They are in environments more reliant on people to help them with that have higher crime rates and greater risk their care. They, too, are more vulnerable, to sexual violence. There is also a large gap accessible and less credible. They may also for people between the ages of 50 and 65 in have less options for moving.” obtaining retirement housing.”

6 Housing and Sexual Violence Key findings conditions (48%) l Landlord refusal to repair locks, windows, 4. Subsidized housing doors, and other physical features of residence (43%) For the purpose of the survey, subsidized l Inability to move quickly enough to escape housing was defined as: future risk (42%) l Not being able to move because of the cost l Public housing, which includes programs of breaking a lease (41%) where the housing authority owns the building l Eviction for calling police (31%) and is the landlord. l Damage to apartment for reasons related to l Section 8 Voucher, which includes programs sexual violence (26%) where the tenant uses a subsidy (in the form l Threats of eviction because of sexual of a voucher) to find rental housing in the violence-related disruptions (25%) private market. The voucher is paid to a private l Landlord harassment against tenants (22%) landlord. l Section 8 Project Based, which includes Qualitative findings programs where the subsidy is given directly Participants shared qualitative information to the owner/landlord who provides affordable to help illuminate the barriers sexual violence housing to multiple families in the private victims and survivors experience in the public sector. The subsidy stays with the property, not housing arena. Common themes included: with the tenant.

l sexual violence victims placed on long waiting Quantitative findings lists for public housing; l Forty-five percent of respondents indicate l fear of reporting sexual violence because of that up to 20% of victims had to break their dangerous living conditions and fear of being leases because of sexual violence. evicted; l Twelve percent of respondents report that l landlords advising tenants not to report sexual between 81% and 100% of victims are unable to violence; relocate after sexual assault. l loss of housing voucher because of sexual violence and inability to move after sexual The most commonly identified subsidized violence because of public housing voucher housing barriers for sexual violence victims being attached to specific property; were the following: l unsafe living conditions and other crimes

l Wanting to move because of perpetrator occurring in public housing; living in close proximity (61%) l landlords refusal to make physical environment l Wanting to move because of sexual assault safe and secure; occurring in/near residence (61%) l landlords lack of understanding and l Long waiting lists (60%) responsiveness to sexual violence and domestic l Risk of sexual violence because of unsafe violence.

National survey 7 PG8 “I have worked with a client whose landlord advised her not to contact the police during a sexual harassment situation.”

“A survivor was awarded subsidized housing and her place was robbed by a maintenance person. Another survivor was notified of a registered sex offender in her housing and was sexually assaulted.”

“One survivor who was assaulted in her apartment was unable to move because her Section 8 was connected to that landlord and that building.”

“Survivor sexually assaulted in her public housing unit; she wants to move because she feels unsafe, but cannot find any affordable housing.”

“Had a client who was being harassed and Participants quotes stalked by ex-husband. Landlord would not “The waiting lists are unbelievable — about fix the door he kicked in or replace broken seven to eight years out.” window locks without community action “She chose not to report being raped agency getting involved.” because of the dangerous living conditions in “We had an issue where a landlord would her subsidized housing apartment complex.” not honor an OFP [order for protection]. “A victim of sexual assault lived in an She allowed the perpetrator in the building.” apartment building where she was assaulted. “Landlords fearing the client will ‘attract The person she accused had ties to the trouble’.” apartment management and she was shortly evicted.” “A survivor was awarded subsidized housing, and her place was robbed by a maintenance “In a sibling sexual assault, mom lost housing person. The safety of these housing units voucher, and was ostracized by neighbors is compromised. Another survivor was not and evicted. Assaulting sibling was removed notified of a registered sex offender in her from the residence and mom and other child housing and was sexually assaulted.” were left homeless.”

8 Housing and Sexual Violence Key findings l Funding for shelter and housing needs for male victims, transgender victims and same 5. Advocates’ needs around housing issues sex violence victims l Funding to support shelter for sexual assault Respondents requested a range of assistance victims in addressing the housing needs of sexual l Funding for housing sexual assault victims violence victims/survivors and engaging in l Funding for legal services prevention or other forms of advocacy. Legal l Referral information for immediate services advocacy and/or representation for sexual l Leeway for “rule breaking” in a sexual violence victims on housing matters received assault situation. Survivors should not be the most responses (73%). evicted because information came out in a police report about rule infractions occurring Types of assistance requested by respondents during or prior to an assault. (Rule breaking included the following: could mean breaking the rules of the housing complex and/or committing crimes prior to or l Legal advocacy and/or representation for during an assault.) sexual violence victims on housing matters l Sexual violence victims not being (72%) discriminated against because of outstanding l Advocacy and counseling tools related to utility bills or past housing policy violations. housing and sexual violence (63%)

l Outreach and public education tools related to housing and sexual violence (61%) l Screening tools to help identify the housing needs of sexual violence victims (57%) l Community assessment tools related to housing and sexual violence (51%) l Prevention tools related to housing and sexual violence (51%) l Research and statistics on housing and sexual violence (50%) l Coalition building tools related to housing and sexual violence (38%) l Other (15%)

Other responses included the following:

l More public housing options and shorter waiting lists l Financial resources l Training for law enforcement

National survey 9 Key findings Priority status Sexual violence often creates an urgent need 6. Policy implications for victims to relocate, due to the violence having occurred in/near their residences, Findings from this survey echo much of what the their perpetrators living in close proximity, the research on housing and sexual violence reveals: general lack of safety they feel living amid other violent crimes, and/or the traumatic effects l Sexual violence can cause a person to lose or have to leave their housing to avoid further they may experience following the assault(s). violence or trauma. Unfortunately, for many victims and survivors, there is often no place to turn, no affordable l Once homeless or living in inadequate or unsafe housing conditions, individuals are at or “better” option. In some communities, greater risk for further victimization. individuals have to wait seven or eight years for their housing subsidies to be honored. Giving Therefore, housing is a critical policy and sexual violence victims and survivors priority prevention area for sexual assault advocates and status when they apply to subsidized housing, allied partners. Survey respondents identified as well as creating mechanisms for immediate multiple policy areas they felt were important to transfers within those housing systems, may the anti-sexual violence movement. A discussion help alleviate much of their trauma, reducing of each follows. the time they have to wait to access safer housing options. Advocates can be instrumental Non-discrimination protections in providing policymakers and partners with According to survey findings, sexual violence information about the complex ways in which victims and survivors experience barriers sexual violence trauma can create a dire need in reporting, relocating, and accessing safe, for victims to relocate. affordable living conditions in subsidized housing systems. Currently, the Violence Emergency shelter Against Women Act (VAWA) provides certain Many advocates identified the lack of emergency protections to domestic violence, dating shelter and lack of funding for such services violence, and stalking victims within the Public for sexual violence victims as a major policy and Section 8 housing systems. Such victims need. Currently, sexual violence victims and are protected from evictions, terminations, and survivors do not have access to shelters that denials of applications within these housing specifically address their needs . While sexual systems because of their status as victims or violence victims may have access to domestic their experiences with domestic violence, dating violence shelters in some communities, these violence, and stalking. One policy advocacy services are primarily funded to house domestic strategy may include educating policymakers violence victims and survivors. In difficult and partners about the complex and economic times, cuts in funding, and increasing multifaceted needs of sexual violence victims waiting lists for beds, sexual violence victims and survivors within subsidized housing systems. may experience less access to such services.

10 Housing and Sexual Violence Traditional homeless shelters are not always bridge gaps in the enforcement of habitability perceived as safe places for individuals who have may be a policy area to consider. experienced sexual violence. While some shelters are beginning to provide trauma-informed Community notification services, research and information on this is still Survey respondents identified concerns about in its’ infancy. Funding for emergency shelter sex offender notification systems, sharing and research, training, and technical assistance anecdotal information about victims and on trauma-informed shelter are policy areas to survivors being unaware of offenders living in consider. close proximity. Offenders that were identified included other tenants, landlords, maintenance Enforcement of habitability personnel, and others living in close proximity Survey respondents identified habitability and/or having access to victims’ residences. concerns related to sexual violence victims’ Possible policy responses might include residences. Many reported unsafe living developing a system of background checks conditions, due to broken doors, locks, and within subsidized housing systems and providing windows and difficulties in getting such items tenants with notification of sex offenders living repaired by landlords. Collaborating with legal in close proximity . aid providers and other housing advocates to

National survey 11 Key findings an impossible luxury. One policy area to consider might be establishing supportive services for 6. Policy implications continued sexual violence victims as well as sexual violence prevention within subsidized housing systems Relocation funds and other housing settings. Relocating after a sexual assault is a common need, yet funding and mechanisms to do so Access to public and private housing stock are often limited. Survey respondents shared The supply and availability of affordable, safe many concerns about the ways in which sexual housing in both the private and public markets violence can jeopardize housing and trauma can are very limited. Many policy solutions hinge create urgent relocation needs in the lives of on the availability of such housing. Survey victims and survivors. A policy area to consider respondents recommended that funding and might be establishing funding for relocation for housing be expanded to ensure that sexual sexual violence victims and survivors, mirroring violence victims and survivors have options funds that exist for domestic violence victims following their assaults—that safer, more and survivors. affordable options be within reach to ensure that all victims are able to address their needs and Supportive sexual assault services live within a violence-free household. Sexual violence victims and survivors encounter many barriers to accessing supportive services following their assaults. These barriers are often For more information about this survey and compounded by issues of oppression, such as its findings, or to request technical assistance sexism, racism, classism, able-ism, heterosexism, about housing and other issues related to sexual and ageism. When working multiple jobs to make violence, please contact the National Sexual ends meet and struggling to put food on the Violence Resource Center: [email protected] table, making time for counseling can seem like or 877-739-3895.