Domestic violence survivors seek homeless services from a system that often leaves them homeless

Sometimes emergency housing programs encourage domestic violence survivors to use unsafe alternatives to public programs − even staying with their abusive partner. Claudia Wolff/Unsplash by Nkiru Nnawulezi, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Lauren Cattaneo, George Mason University About 1 in every 3 women, and 1 in 4 men, will experience domestic violence over their lifetime. Since domestic violence can escalate to the point of serious injury or murder, survivors must take action to increase their safety – potentially even fleeing their homes. Of the total homicides that occurred in the U.S. in 2020, 34% of women and 6% of men were murdered by their intimate partners. Research has clearly shown the connection between domestic violence and homelessness. For example, a California study found that domestic violence survivors were four times more likely to experience housing instability compared with those who hadn’t experienced domestic violence. We are two psychologists based in Washington D.C., who study the experiences, struggles and strengths of domestic violence survivors. In Washington, 1 in 4 people experiencing homelessness report a history of domestic violence, with nearly half citing it as the direct reason for their homelessness. Domestic violence and housing instability Housing instability brings its own...