It Is Never Too Late: The Importance of Domestic Violence Intervention Services

Photo by LA Times

Domestic violence perpetuates houselessness. The correlation between these circumstances is often overlooked and misunderstood. Not only are poorer women more likely to be abused but also the source of many women’s poverty is abuse. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, “intimate partner violence rates [are] highest in the poorest neighborhoods” (NLM, 2014). The American Bar Association believes that upwards of 90% of houseless women have experienced some form of domestic abuse in their lives (ABA, 2023). These statistics should not just highlight the prevalence of these occurrences but the powerfully impactful connection between violence, poverty, and houselessness.

Though women experience violence in every tax bracket, domestic abusers often use a lack of financial stability or financial neglect as tools to weaken their victims' ability to leave relationships. This means that women and children who are able to escape their households, often do so with little to no funds or means to rebuild their lives. Additionally, many victims have a fear of involving the police (given frequent law enforcement failures) which leaves them with no ability to appeal for legal help. 

This reality reveals the importance of organizations that offer housing, medical attention, emotional support, and protection for survivors. Portland’s Rose Haven, Raphael House, Jean’s Place, and West Women’s and Children’s Center offer day services, night shelters, medical and mental health care, and transitional assistance to help settle victims and their families in safe and permanent housing and find them stable employment opportunities. Most importantly, these projects provide warm and welcoming spaces and community to help survivors begin to heal and ultimately persevere through the traumas they have experienced. All of the mentioned aid is linked below for you to connect with either as an advocate or as a person in need!

The courage of every survivor should motivate us as a society to address our epidemic of emotional, physical, and financial violence. 

Advocacy Projects: Click to help offer or receive domestic abuse resources and care!
Rose Haven (offering day services for women, children, and members of the LGBTQ+ community): https://rosehaven.org/ 

Raphael House (offering emergency care for women and children): https://raphaelhouse.com/

Jean’s Place (offering a comprehensive residential program for women): https://gethelp.211info.org/agency/4659/19331/

West Womens and childrens center (offering services and shelter for women and children): https://westwomens.salvationarmy.org/

Additional Reading: Click to learn more about this topic!

ACLU Report “Domestic Violence and Homelessness”: https://www.aclu.org/sites/

Agenda Alliance Report “One MillIon Women…”: https://www.agendaalliance.org/news/one-million-women-in-poverty-have-experienced-violence-and-abuse/ 

American Bar Association Article “5 Facts about DV, SV, and Homelessness”: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/Initiatives/five-for-five/five-facts-homelessness/

National Library of Medicine Report “Intimate Partner Violence and Neighborhood Income”: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/