Transcript Open - The Scottish Government

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE & THE LINKS WITH
HOMELESSNESS AND MAINTAINING TENANCIES
SAY WOMEN
3RD FLOOR
30 BELL STREET
GLASGOW
G1 1LG
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0141 552 5803
www.say-women.co.uk
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
1
Aims of training
By the end of these workshops the participants will;
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have a working definition of violence against women
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understand the impact of childhood sexual abuse on survivors
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be able to recognise the push-pull factors of homelessness linked to
the experience of childhood sexual abuse
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recognise the importance of considering the impacts of childhood
sexual abuse during integrated assessments.
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be able to signpost service users to relevant services for support with
violence against women and children.
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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Why Housing /
Homelessness?
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Young people facing homelessness come
disproportionately from disadvantaged
backgrounds in terms of both poverty and
disrupted, and often traumatised,
childhoods. Evidence suggests that
homelessness compounds these
characteristics and experiences.
(Youth Homelessness in the UK, Quilgars et al)
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
3

Scottish Government has agreed with COSLA four
key priorities to move towards 2012 target
 Promoting and improving joint working
 Preventing homelessness where possible
 Working together to maximise access to housing
association and private sector housing; and
 Investing in appropriate areas.
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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PROGRAMME
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Continuum of Violence Against Women and
Children
Defining our Work
Agree / Disagree
Journey of Disclosure
Supporting Disclosure
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Survivors needs/ Workers Needs
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© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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What’s the Links?
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“92% pf a racially diverse sample of homeless mothers had experienced severe physical
and / or sexual violence at some point in their lives, with 43% reporting sexual abuse in
childhood and 63% reporting intimate partner violence in adulthood.”
(No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women)
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“… it is estimated that half of all homeless women and children have become homeless
while trying to escape abusive situations.”
(Browne & Bassuk, 1997)
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Research found that of the women in one support service surveyed;
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98% had experienced homelessness
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70% had experienced substance misuse
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67% had experienced street culture activities
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62% institutional care
(McDough, T, 2011, Joseph Rowntree Foundation)
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In one study of homeless women who had been victimized most participants reported mental health problems ranging from;
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suicide attempts (45%)
depression (47%)
alcohol or drug dependence (45%)
post traumtic stress disorder (39%).
(Browne & Bassuk, 1997; see also Bassuck, Buckner, Weinreb, Browne, Bassuk, Dawson, & Perloff, 1997)
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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“There was young girls in there working
the town. I was twenty eight. I had
never worked in my life. I thought I
would never do anything like that. But I
done it. You totally change when you
go into the hostels.”
(Joyce)
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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SAY Women Statistics
Behaviour
Accommodation
Resource
Referral Point
Looked After by Local Authority
19%
22%
Rough Sleeping
50%
22%
History of Exclusion
24%
20%
Criminal Charges
23%
12%
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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Triggers
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Leaving the parental home after arguments;
Marital or relationship breakdown;
Widowhood;
Discharge from the armed forces;
Leaving care;
Leaving prison;
A sharp deterioration in mental health or an
increase in alcohol or drug misuse;
A financial crisis of mounting debts;
Eviction from a rented or owned home.
(Fitzpatrick, S, 2000, Single Homelessness; An overview of research in Britain)
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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Push / Pull Factors in Homelessness
Pull factors in homeless culture
Push factors in housed culture
Friendship
Isolation and loneliness
Acceptance
Rejection, failure and exclusion
24 hour a day support / counselling
3 – 6 month waiting lists, (bi) weekly sessions
Acceptable drink / drug habit
Unacceptable drink / drug habit
Being somebody
Being a nobody
(The Culture of Homelessness, by Megan Ravenhill)
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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“… being trauma-informed goes far beyond
staff training. Organizations must examine
and reframe their practices and protocols
based on an understanding that most
homeless women are survivors of trauma,
and are likely to be revictimized if not given
emotional support, the ability to have some
control over their daily lives, and a safe and
calm place to stay 24 hours a day.”
No Safe Place
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
11

Have you attended CSA focussed training in the past?
Yes 35
No
65
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Of 64 participants who marked themselves 5 or below in a scale
of 1 to 10 in confidence / skills / knowledge
Increases above 5 were seen by;
56 Skills
61 Knowledge
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64 confidence
Would you recommend to a colleague?
Yes 81
No
1
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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What participants have thought
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“Very informative and well delivered. I enjoyed interactive activities as
difficulties addressing issues require participation discussion and
action. Good way to reinforce these.”
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“Fantastic training day, wonderful tutors. Very helpful and informative.
Will definitely use info given today for use in the workplace. Huge
thank you”
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“Well presented and facilitated. Tough subject to deal with but
handled at a good pace and level”
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“Really great. A better understanding of victims of abuse. Good for
someone like myself working in the community while in a training
post.”
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“The tutors were very helpful and enthusiastic. Were good at turning
situations mentioned round and approaching them in ways you
wouldn’t normally think of.”
© Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse /
Housing Links, 2012
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