{"id":4308,"date":"2022-03-08T11:43:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T11:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.depaul.org.uk\/?post_type=blog&p=4308"},"modified":"2023-08-18T10:55:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T09:55:03","slug":"international-womens-day-women-and-homelessness","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.depaul.org.uk\/blog\/international-womens-day-women-and-homelessness\/","title":{"rendered":"International Women\u2019s Day: women and homelessness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For International Women\u2019s Day 2022 we spoke to Depaul UK\u2019s service manager Janet Dyer, and Deborah Forbes, project lead at our women\u2019s refuge, about the unique challenges facing women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and the work they do to help support them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The landscape of women experiencing homelessness <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Women experience homelessness differently. Pregnancy, domestic violence, and relationship breakdown force women into homelessness, making them vulnerable to further exploitation and abuse.<\/p>\n

Janet said: \u201cIn my experience with 18\u201325 year-olds, young people become homeless because of overcrowding in the home. Parents ask them to leave, or parents are being physical with them and they have to leave. Then they become homeless and they start sofa surfing. That\u2019s for both men and women.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, there are often additional factors specific for women, for instance pregnancy and childbirth: \u201chaving to leave because they\u2019re pregnant, and their parents have told them to leave. Because family can\u2019t accommodate them and the baby, or the family is upset because they\u2019re in that situation to begin with.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also get women referred to us when they\u2019ve been at home and they\u2019ve had their baby and the relationship then breaks down. It could be that they were living at his accommodation at the time, or living in his family\u2019s accommodation. Then she\u2019s been left on her own and has to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another key difference in the experience of women facing homelessness is that they are more likely to face sexual or physical violence.<\/p>\n

Our 2018 report Danger Zones<\/a> and Stepping Stones: Phase Two found: young women were more likely to lose stable accommodation at a younger age (under 18) than young men and young women were nearly four times as likely as young men to have experienced sexual abuse while in temporary living arrangements.<\/p>\n

Additionally, research from homeless charity St Mungo\u2019s<\/a> revealed 33% of women that slept rough said domestic abuse contributed to them becoming homeless.<\/p>\n

A tailored approach <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Pregnancy, domestic violence, and relationship breakdown force women into homelessness, all of which require tailored support to help them out of homelessness.\u00a0 At Depaul UK we support women specifically through our Mother and Baby services, women only complex needs support services, and domestic violence refuges. These different gender-based services allow us to deliver a holistic approach for the unique issues women face when experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n

There is also a need to be working with young people in preventative work. Deborah said: \u201cWe need to teach about healthy relationships. One of the things that used to upset me was you\u2019d see sons of mothers who have been abused, becoming perpetrators and you think, when is that cycle going to stop? The only way forward is through education. What is a healthy relationship?\u201d<\/p>\n

Women supporting women <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Deborah and Janet rounded off their talk with us by providing some vital advice for all women.<\/p>\n

Deborah said:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about being independent. I\u2019ve got this thing about empowerment and moving forward. Having been an ex-service user myself, I felt that moving myself out of the situation was key. It\u2019s about being independent.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI say to all my ladies in the refuge, learn to drive! To me- that\u2019s your magic carpet. It sounds like a silly thing to say, but I think they understand it\u2019s about empowerment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Janet\u2019s advice: \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re here for, to try and empower individuals and to get them to work as a group. Because then they can support each other. I always say, we\u2019re not here forever.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re here for a limited time in your life. You\u2019re going to move on. So, you need to be able to build your own little network. Feel safe and stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Help us continue to empower women so they can lead an independent life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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