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Housing and Sexual Violence 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 6% Law enforcement providers. Four percent were law enforcement 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, deep South, and U.S. 8.) Illinois 18.) New Hampshire 28.) Tennessee 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
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