UNDERSTANDING HOUSING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. Housing and Domestic Violence March 24, 2017 Amy Jo Muscott, M.Ed. Education Coordinator

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1 UNDERSTANDING HOUSING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Housing and Domestic Violence March 24, 2017 Amy Jo Muscott, M.Ed. Education Coordinator

2 PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN ABOUT: The NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence The role and services provided by the 13 member NH Crisis Center Services The dynamics of domestic violence and the challenges of leaving and staying in a relationship Statistics of housing and victims of DV Housing barriers for victim-survivors of domestic violence Resources and collaborative agencies and supports that are available through NH Crisis Centers

3 NH COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE (NHCADSV) The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence creates safe and just communities through advocacy, prevention and empowerment of anyone affected by sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking. The Coalition includes 13 independent community-based member programs, a Board of Directors and a central staff work to: Influence public policy on the local, state and national levels; Ensure that quality services are provided to victims; Promote the accountability of societal systems and communities for their responses to sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking; Prevent violence and abuse before they occur.

4 NH CRISIS CENTER SERVICES ALL FREE & CONFIDENTIAL Crisis Intervention & Support Services 24-hour Support Line, Walk-in services, Support Groups Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing 24-hour, safe, confidential, emergency shelter Risk assessment & safety planning Transitional housing and support Court Advocacy Services Assistance with restraining orders, court preparation and advocacy for domestic violence survivors, child sexual abuse survivors, stalking survivors, and sexual assault survivors. Education School-based programs, Community Education, Trainings Hospital, Police, & Child Advocacy Center Accompaniment Support for the survivor during stays in the hospital Support for survivors during the police and legal procedures Ongoing support/referrals for older children and non-offending caregivers

5 BRIDGE S 2016 STATISTICS 2,284 victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and stalking served Emergency shelter to 65 woman & children totaling 2,540 nights of shelter. 54 woman and children totaling 10,394 nights of housing in the transitional housing program. Education and outreach services to 6,104 students and community members. 41 women and children with peer support groups for sexual and domestic violence, and child witnesses of domestic violence.

6 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFINED Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior that is used by one person to gain power and control over another. It may include: physical violence sexual assault emotional and psychological intimidation verbal abuse stalking economic control (Family Violence Prevention Fund. "Model Policy on Domestic Violence in the Workplace")

7 POWER AND CONTROL WHEEL

8 CYCLE OF VIOLENCE EXPLOSION

9 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive approximately 21,000 calls, an average of close to 15 calls every minute. Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. The presence of a gun in the home during a domestic violence incident increases the risk of homicide by at least 500%. 72% of all murder-suicides involved an intimate partner; 94% of the victims of these crimes are female.

10 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE More than half of all New Hampshire women have experienced physical or sexual violence. 22.7% of women in New Hampshire have been sexually assaulted, and 19.5% have been sexually assaulted with penetration. This is significantly higher than the rate of sexual assault against women in the nation as a whole. 92% of New Hampshire s homicides and suicides are related to domestic violence. The majority of domestic violence homicides in New Hampshire are committed with firearms. 15.9% of New Hampshire women are estimated to experience stalking at some point in their lifetimes. Source: Fact Sheet NCDSA

11 HOMELESSNESS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 1)Approximately 50% of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. 2) Among mothers with children experiencing homelessness, more than 80% had previously experienced domestic violence. 3)84% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives. 4)63% of homeless women have been victims of intimate partner violence as adults.

12 HOMELESSNESS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 5) 33% of homeless women have been victims of severe assault by their current or most recent intimate partner. 6) By age 12, 83% of homeless children have been exposed to at least one serious violent event and nearly 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families. 8) Mothers experiencing homelessness have three times the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (36%) and twice the rate of drug and alcohol dependence (41%). 9)About 50% of mothers experienced a major depressive episode since becoming homeless. They have ulcers at four times the rate of other women.

13 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- WHY STAY IN THE RELATIONSHIP? Fear Economic dependence Love Threats Children Hope Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time Distrust in authority figures

14 FEAR AND SAFETY FOR CHILDREN Many victims stay in relationships because their abusive partners are given custody or joint custody. Mothers are reticent to leave because if her children visit the abuser without her, she struggles to keep them safe at least if she stay in the relationship, she can monitor and protect her children. It is hard to safety plan with a 9 year old who is visiting the offending parent.

15 HOW DOES THIS CREATE BARRIERS AND IMPACT HOUSING Domestic Violence Shelters are small, eligibility is restricted to those who are fleeing and truly unsafe Victim/survivors often need to travel distances because they may not be safe in their communities. Often when calling coordinate access, if DV is even mentioned, shelters supports or services are not offered. We only refer to homeless services when we know that the client will be safe.

16 THE BIRDCAGE ACTIVITY A case study to describe the challenges of domestic violence and the dynamics of power and control What assumptions do you make? What barriers confront our mutual clients?

17 GASLIGHTING DEFINITION Gaslighting makes the victim start questioning what s really true or even your own sanity within your relationship? This term comes from the 1938 stage play Gas Light, in which a husband attempts to drive his wife crazy by dimming the lights (which were powered by gas) in their home, and then he denies that the light changed when his wife points it out. It causes a victim to question their own feelings, instincts, and sanity. Once an abusive partner has broken down the victim s ability to trust their own perceptions, the victim is more likely to stay in the abusive relationship.

18 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOUSING BARRIERS Read and discuss with your neighbor: #1: Abusers gas light survivors and manipulate those around them including landlords, into believing that the victim is crazy, making it hard for our clients to communicate with landlords or advocate clearly for themselves. Have you ever confronted this in your work? How could you support a victim? What questions could you ask?

19 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOUSING BARRIERS Read and discuss with your neighbor: #2: Most landlords request background checks and credit checks, this requires providing social security information which can put a woman s confidentiality at risk. It can make her information public, but also these inquiries can show up on credit reports. If the abuser has her information he could potentially see these inquires and locate her. Have you ever confronted this in your work? How could you support a victim? What questions could you ask?

20 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOUSING BARRIERS Read and discuss with your neighbor: #3: Women often times have had issues setting up utilities because the abuser had promised to pay but racked up such high debts that now they have a large outstanding balance to pay off before they can set up utilities. Have you ever confronted this in your work? How could you support a victim? What questions could you ask?

21 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOUSING BARRIERS Read and discuss with your neighbor: #4: Immigration status: An abuser is the victim s sponsor and keeps or destroys documentation. This leaves the victim unable to apply for benefits and/or work and ineligible for housing without the proper identification & documentation. Have you ever confronted this in your work? How could you support a victim? What questions could you ask?

22 THE CRISIS CENTER APPROACH Facilitating a victims/survivor s growing sense of Dignity, Power, Control and Strengthening their Voice Supporting through peer support that includes: Information, Validation, Encouragement, Respect of the victim/survivor s decision making process Supporting/assisting a victim/survivor to define their needs, explore options and ensure their rights are respected within any systems with which they interact. Advocating and empowering, meeting clients where they are

23 RESOURCES AND COLLABORATION Collaboration with agencies including: DCYF Hospitals/Emergency Rooms/Doctors offices Law Enforcement (LAP) Mental Health Schools/Guidance Prevention/Trainings Churches/Faith-based organizations Children s Advocacy Centers (CAC) Court Advocacy/ Protection Orders Restraining Orders (TRO) Stalking Orders Court Advocacy/ Hearings

24 OTHER RESOURCES DOVE Pro-Bono Address Confidentiality Program Victim s Compensation Liaison to community supports and services Immigration Support (Catholic Charities and the Language Line

25 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY An address confidentiality program allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other types of crime to receive mail at a confidential address, while keeping their actual address undisclosed.... Confidential Voter Listings only provide confidentiality on election-related public records."

26 WHAT IS VICTIM S COMPENSATION? The New Hampshire Victims' Compensation Program helps innocent victims of violent crime with expenses directly related to crime injuries. The costs of this program are paid by motor vehicle and criminal fine assessments and federal Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, and not by New Hampshire Taxpayers.

27 VICTIM S COMPENSATION COVERS: Medical and dental for crime-related injuries Mental Health counseling for crime-related by a licensed therapist (for primary and secondary victim). Relocation costs for safety reasons Changing locks Replace locks, doors, windows damaged in the crime (they cannot replace property) Replace bedding and clothing taken as evidence Lost wages (documentation by employer and the place victim had appointment must be provided) Crime scene clean up (may be possible) 10-Day Emergency Funds

28 CATHOLIC CHARITIES Assists with various applications and petitions, including: Family-based visas Visas for religious personnel Consular processing/visas Political asylum Adjustment to lawful permanent residence Self-petitions for immigrant victims of domestic violence and sexual assault Naturalization

29 LANGUAGE LINE We have access to The Language Line to assist client with their language barriers

30 THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE (NHCADSV) Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline Find a Crisis Center Call our hotlines anywhere in New Hampshire for support. Stalking victims should call the Domestic Violence Hotline. TTY available at Relay-NH Crisis Center Map and Contacts CrisisCtrMap.pdf

31 BRIDGES CONTACT INFORMATION Nashua Office: 33 East Pearl Street Nashua, NH M-F 8:30-4:30 (Closed Wednesday 1:00-3:00) 24-Hour Support Line Milford Office: 16 Elm Street, Suite 2 Milford, NH M-F 8:30-4:30 (Closed Wednesday 12:00-4:30)

32 PARTING THOUGHTS Questions? Thank You!