Teh Experience of Violence in the Lives of Homeless Women

Project Summary for 2002-WG-BX-0013

This study will (1) provide estimates of the rates and amounts of violence suffered by homeless women using multiple simultaneous comparisons (across cities, between homeless women and homeless men, and between homeless women and poor women who are housed); (2) analyze various risk factors that expose homeless women to violence (such as childhood victimization, alcohol and drug abuse, life style factors, criminal history, mental illness); (3) explore the role violence plays in causing homelessness; (4) examine the consequences of violence committed against homeless women; and (5) explore how the criminal justice system deals with violence perpetrated against homeless women. The study will involve 800 face to face interviews with homeless women (200 in each of four Florida cities). In addition the study will involve 100 to 150 interviews with homeless men and 100 to 150 interviews with women in public housing. The study will also conduct in depth interviews with 15 homeless domestic violence victims and a focus group as part of the development of the survey instrument. The study will use standardized measures such as the Conflict Tactic Scales, the Personal History Form, and the Addiction Severity Index.

Ca/ncf