Victims of Homelessness

Homelessness is an issue that has persisted in the United States because of the ever-changing demographic factors and economic circumstances. The composition and size of the homeless population in the country continues to change due to these varying factors. Over the past decade, homelessness has attracted public attention given the dramatic increase in the number and composition of victims. While numerous efforts have been undertaken to address the issue, homelessness remains a major problem for policymakers and the public. An important element in dealing with the problem of homelessness is understanding victimization and its contributing factors. Through understanding victimization, policymakers and other stakeholders will develop suitable policies and approaches to address homelessness. This paper explores street crime victimization of homeless women and children.
Importance of the Issue
According to Stanley et al. (2016), homelessness is an ongoing problem facing the United States as the size of the homeless population continues to increase dramatically. The United States has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of the homeless population, which has attracted public attention. This population is vulnerable to various issues including high morbidity and mortality rates, poor health conditions, stigmatization, and victims of crime. Recent studies have shown that approximately 49% of homeless people have been victims of violent crimes while 62% have witnessed violent attacks on another homeless individual (Stanley et al., 2016). Therefore, addressing the plight of homeless people is a major public policy issue, particularly in the field of criminal justice and social work. Policymakers and other relevant stakeholders are faced with the need to develop suitable policies and approaches to address the ongoing problem of homelessness in the country.
Existing statistics demonstrate that women and children are the most affected people groups. Women and children are more likely to become homeless in comparison to men. For example, in 2015, more than 31,500 adults and children flew from their homes to seek refuse in homeless shelters and others because of domestic violence (Family & Youth Services Bureau, 2016). 80% of these adults fleeing their homes were mothers with children. Domestic violence accounts for 30% of contributing factors to homelessness among women and children. Bendix (2019) states that homeless populations have increased in more than 10 states in the past decade. States with the highest homeless populations include Washington, DC, New York and Hawaii. While some states have witnessed more than 35% increase in the number of homeless people, others have increased by 23%. In all these States, women and children account for a significant portion of homeless populations, which represents a deepening crisis across the country (Bachega, 2018).
Frequency of Victimization
Women and children are likely to become homeless because of domestic violence, which accounts for 30% of all contributing factors (Family & Youth Services Bureau, 2016). In addition, the frequency of homelessness is likely to occur in families where key members suffer from drugs and alcohol abuse and have disabilities. Homeless women and children are often subjected to street crime and violence that contribute to adverse health effects and generate problems for law enforcement agencies (Ellsworth, 2018).
Existing Literature on Victimology
Turner, Funge & Gabbard (2018) contend that homeless people are increasingly susceptible to victimization. Numerous acts of violence and street crime against homeless people have been increasingly reported across the country. In some cases, these acts of violence against homeless people has resulted in fatalities. Stanley et al. (2016) concurs by arguing that homeless people are increasingly subjected to violence and other forms of crime when living in the streets and homeless shelters. Homeless people experience adverse health events and problems because of the violence they are subjected to in the streets. Violence among homeless people has increased tremendously in recent years including physical and sexual violence (Stanley et al., 2016). According to Tyler & Beal (2010), between one-third and one-half of homeless youth have been subjected to physical or sexual victimization. In addition, women and children who account for a significant portion of this population are usually targets of physical and sexual abuse. Ellsworth (2018) concurs by stating that homeless people are subjected to varying rates of common crime including robbery, assault and theft. This has in turn increased street crime victimization of this population.
Discussion
As shown in existing literature, women and children are the most common victims of homelessness because of domestic violence, drugs and substance abuse and other factors. While in the streets, these populations are subjected to inhumane treatment that has contributed to increase in street crime. Therefore, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders including law enforcement officers should adopt policies and measures to deal with street crime victimization of homeless people. One of the recommended strategies is to examine the social environment of these populations and develop measures to lessen risk of various kinds of victimization (Tyler & Beal, 2010). Some probable changes in the social environment of homeless people include removal of these people from areas where potential offenders easily find them. Law enforcement authorities should collaborate with other stakeholders to remove homeless people from high-crime areas or streets. Secondly, changes in the housing system for homeless people should be made in order to enhance their living conditions and lessen vulnerability to street crime victimization. Current housing programs are not only ineffective to meet the needs of these people, but also increase their vulnerability to victimization. Third, policies should be established to help victims of domestic violence find a safe home other than the streets (Norris, 2019). This would require concerted efforts between social workers, policymakers, and police officers.
In addition to these recommendations, existing resources should be strengthened to help provide necessary support to homeless women and children and others. Currently, various federal, state and local agencies exist to provide social services and promote the welfare of these populations. Some of the existing agencies include state and local police agencies, Office of Homeless Services, federal Department of the Homeless, and various homeless services programs. Moreover, homeless women and children can obtain support from the Family and Youth Services Bureau.
In conclusion, the issue of homelessness is an ongoing problem in the United States exacerbated by the dramatic increase in the size and composition of homeless populations. As shown in this analysis, women and children are the mostly affected populations while domestic violence and drugs and alcohol abuse are the major contributing factors. Homeless women and children have continued to be targets of street crime victimization and violence that results in adverse health events. The high rates street crime victimization of these populations can be addressed through concerted efforts between various stakeholders including policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and social workers. This would entail making changes to the social environment of homeless people, improving the current housing system for these populations, and policy changes to provide safe homes for victims of domestic violence. The multi-faceted nature of this problem requires involvement of different stakeholders in resolving it.
References
Bachega, H. (2018, October 8). Homeless in US: A Deepening Crisis on the Streets of America. BBC. Retrieved November 22, 2019, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45442596
Bendix, A. (2019, November 18). The 9 States with the Worst Homelessness Crises Reveal How Bad the Housing Crunch Has Gotten in US Cities. Business Insider. Retrieved November 22, 2019, https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-homelessness-states-worst-crises-2018-11?IR=T
Ellsworth, J.T. (2018, December 3). Street Crime Victimization Among Homeless Adults: A Review of the Literature. Victims & Offenders: An International Journal of Evidence-based Research, Policy and Practice, 14(1), 96-118.
Family & Youth Services Bureau. (2016, June 24). Domestic Violence and Homelessness: Statistics (2016). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/resource/dv-homelessness-stats-2016
Norris, S. (2019, September 9). Women Fleeing Abuse Are Being ‘re-traumatized’ by the Housing System. City Metric. Retrieved November 22, 2019, from https://www.citymetric.com/politics/women-fleeing-abuse-are-being-re-traumatised-housing-system-4769
Stanley, J.L., Jansson, A.V., Akinyemi, A.A. & Mitchell, C.S. (2016, November). Characteristics of Violent Deaths Among Homeless People in Maryland, 2003-2011. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 51(5), S260-S266.
Turner, M.M., Funge, S.P. & Gabbard, W.J. (2018). Victimization of the Homeless: Perceptions, Policies, and Implications for Social Work Practice. Journal of Social Work in the Global Community, 3(1), 1-12.
Tyler, K.A. & Beal, M.R. (2010). The High-risk Environment of Homeless Young Adults: Consequences for Physical and Sexual Victimization. Violence and Victims, 25(1), 101-115.