Feature

A burden of abuse

Why do so many young women become homeless? Mandana Hendessi reports on the disturbing results of a recent survey

Char, the Housing Campaign for Single Homeless, launched a research project in January 1991 to assess the relationship between sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence and young women’s homelessness in England and Wales. A result of regional consultations with women and housing organisations, the project is funded and assisted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation through a women-only advisory group.

The research project defined sexual abuse as any form of sexual activity between a female child or adolescent and a familiar and trusted adult or young person older than her which was seen by her to be of a sexual nature and was distressing. A homeless person was defined as one without secure and permanent accommodation. This definition included women sleeping rough or on friends’ sofas as well as those in temporary accommodation.

CHAR did a survey of homeless women in England and in-depth interviews with the providers and users of housing and other welfare services to overcome the lack of reliable data on causes of young women’s homelessness.

CHAR considered anonymity and confidentiality to be key factors in the design of the questionnaire. Every questionnaire was given out with a CHAR freepost envelope and the respondents were under no obligation to give their name or address unless they wanted to be interviewed by the researcher. Contrary to common belief among hostel workers, the majority of the sexual abuse survivors (86 percent) were willing to be interviewed as part of the case studies.

The survey found that: 40 per cent of young homeless women become homeless due to sexual abuse from a family member. Over 60 per cent of these young women have also experienced physical abuse. (It is astonishing to note that the same proportions of young women used to become homeless for the same reason in nineteenth-century Britain, from CHAR’s study of the Salvation Army records of the first refuge for girls and young women ‘in moral danger’.) Twenty-five per cent of young women left permanent accommodation because of disputes with parents; 20 percent to escape physical abuse from partners and parents (70 percent and 30 percent respectively); 8 percent to live independently and 7 percent for reasons of ‘overcrowding’, dispute with boss (live-in job) and coming back from abroad.

The majority of young homeless women -- those who are visibly homeless and staying in temporary accommodation as opposed to the ‘hidden’ homeless staying with friends and relatives -- are white British (74 percent). Black British, Asian, Irish, African, Caribbean and ‘mixed race’ made up the rest. Given that ‘hidden’ homelessness is more prevalent among Black and other ethnic minority women, this is hardly surprising. But the Black and ethnic minority presence among young homeless women (22 percent excluding the Irish) is considerably higher than their national proportions.

The dominant age group among single homeless women is 18-25 years (53 percent), followed closely by 16-18 year olds (45 percent). The remaining two percent are under-16s.

Homelessness is a traumatic experience for young women. But being a survivor and homeless increases the burden substantially, affecting a young woman’s physical and mental health.

Many young women survivors shy away from primary medical services, some because of uncertainty about what a visit to a GP might lead to, others to avoid medical examinations. The majority of the young homeless women using a central London day centre said that they hesitated about using a GP even though they were seriously unwell, because they feared filling in medical forms or answering personal questions would leave traces of their whereabouts. This problem was solved by the centre’s staff providing in-house medical services by a skilled woman doctor.

A psychiatrist practising in Gwynedd mentioned the difficulties arising from medical examination of young survivors. A young woman, aged 17, had to have a gynaecological check-up as she was complaining of abdominal pain. Her physical problems were the direct result of childhood sexual abuse. Although her physical condition was deteriorating, she was unwilling to allow the doctor to examine her. Eventually, the only way to carry out the examination was under general anaesthetic. It is crucial that the young woman’s permission is sought before such action is taken. In this case it was.

Such difficulties illustrate the profound impact sexual abuse can have on young women and is yet another example of the particular sensitivities needed from a range of professionals.

Other research shows the correlation between sexual abuse and mental distress in women. Exeter Mental Health Unit estimates 60 percent of adult female in-patients (of mental health services) suffered sexual abuse in childhood. Incest Survivors in Strength (ISIS), a self-help group in London, estimates over 90 percent of survivors have had psychiatric treatment. This has included tranquillisers prescribed by GPs. Over 30 percent have been hospitalised in psychiatric wards.

The key theme emerging from our study is that young homeless survivors are disadvantaged by the policy and practice of central and local government and the voluntary sector. This happens in a variety of ways. Housing legislation places a duty upon housing authorities to provide accommodation for those who are homeless and in ‘priority need’. But neither the legislation nor the accompanying code of guidance offer much help with defining these terms. Young people ‘at risk’ are recommended to be ‘considered’ for inclusion in the ‘vulnerable’ category -- ‘priority homeless’. The lack of clarity regarding who falls into this category has led to a variety of interpretations. The same can be said about the definition of ‘children in need’ in the Children Act.

There is very little temporary housing provision for homeless women. For young survivors there is even less: there are only four specialist hostels in England (average bed spaces: four) and none in Wales. Other emergency or short-term provision is not always deemed safe and satisfactory by young women. For example, many survivors have experienced serious difficulties in night shelters.

Rehousing prospects are bleak due to the acute shortage of affordable housing. But it is not just a matter of bricks and mortar; young survivors also need support to regain their confidence and control over their lives.

It is high time the statutory and voluntary agencies listened to what young homeless survivors are saying and responded to their demands, by devising strategies to alleviate their hardship. This can be done through more co-operation at both local and national level. But any strategy can only be successful if and when it incudes the participation of survivors.

Mandana Hendessi is the author of 4 in 10, a report on young women homeless as a result of child sexual abuse. From: CHAR, 5-15 Cromer Street, London WC1H 8LS, She is also the founder of EMPOWER, consultancy specialisingin qualitative research and training for housing, health, youth and social workers, and probation officersEMPOWER13 Regina Road, London N4 3PT. Tel: 071272 9858.