1 CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE & THE LINKS WITH HOMELESSNESS AND MAINTAINING TENANCIES SAY WOMEN 3 RD FLOOR 30 BELL STREET GLASGOW G1 1LG   © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012

2 Aims of training By the end of these workshops the participants will; have a working definition of violence against women understand the impact of childhood sexual abuse on survivors be able to recognise the push-pull factors of homelessness linked to the experience of childhood sexual abuse recognise the importance of considering the impacts of childhood sexual abuse during integrated assessments. 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

3 Why Housing / Homelessness? 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

4 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

5 PROGRAMME Continuum of Violence Against Women and Children Defining our Work Agree / Disagree Journey of Disclosure Supporting Disclosure Survivors needs/ Workers Needs © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012

6 What’s the Links? “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) “… it is estimated that half of all homeless women and children have become homeless while trying to escape abusive situations.” (Browne & Bassuk, 1997) Research found that of the women in one support service surveyed;  98% had experienced homelessness  70% had experienced substance misuse  67% had experienced street culture activities  62% institutional care (McDough, T, 2011, Joseph Rowntree Foundation) In one study of homeless women who had been victimized most participants reported mental health problems ranging from;  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

7 “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

8 SAY Women Statistics Behaviour Looked After by Local Authority19%22% Rough Sleeping50%22% History of Exclusion24%20% Criminal Charges23%12% Accommodation Resource Referral Point © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012

9 Triggers 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

10 Pull factors in homeless culturePush factors in housed culture FriendshipIsolation and loneliness AcceptanceRejection, failure and exclusion 24 hour a day support / counselling3 – 6 month waiting lists, (bi) weekly sessions Acceptable drink / drug habitUnacceptable drink / drug habit Being somebodyBeing a nobody (The Culture of Homelessness, by Megan Ravenhill) Push / Pull Factors in Homelessness © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012

11 “… 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

12 Have you attended CSA focussed training in the past? Yes35No65 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 Skills61 Knowledge64 confidence Would you recommend to a colleague? Yes81No1 © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012

13 “Very informative and well delivered. I enjoyed interactive activities as difficulties addressing issues require participation discussion and action. Good way to reinforce these.” “Fantastic training day, wonderful tutors. Very helpful and informative. Will definitely use info given today for use in the workplace. Huge thank you” “Well presented and facilitated. Tough subject to deal with but handled at a good pace and level” “Really great. A better understanding of victims of abuse. Good for someone like myself working in the community while in a training post.” “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.” What participants have thought © Say Women, Childhood Sexual Abuse / Housing Links, 2012