Physical and Sexual Violence in the Lives of Homeless Women
Description:
84 single women living in shelters completed interviews regarding physical and sexual assault prior to leaving home and after leaving home. Most Ss had been physically or sexually assaulted; overwhelmingly, this happened in their own homes, at the hands of a close relative, usually a father or stepfather, and prior to becoming homeless. Even for the minority of Ss who were assaulted after becoming homeless, the assailant usually was not a stranger and the location not a public place. Although repeated incidents of assault were the rule rather than the exception, very few Ss who had been assaulted by their father or stepfather while living at home were later assaulted by a husband, common-law partner, or boyfriend. Findings discredit the myth that abused women set themselves up for further abuse. The authors conclude that family violence should be part of any policy concerning women's homelessness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2002 APA, all rights reserved)
Type of Resource:
Journal
Publication Date:
1992
Volume:
11
Issue:
1
Pages:
29-44
Location:
Sidney