Exploring the Experiences of Violence Among Individuals Who Are Homeless Using a Consumer-Led Approach ; © 2014 Springer Publishing Company; http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-12-00069

Homelessness increases vulnerability to violence victimization; however, the precise
factors associated with victimization and injury are not clearly understood. Thus, this
study explores the prevalence of and characteristics associated with violence victimization
among homeless individuals by surveying approximately 500 individuals experiencing
homelessness in 5 cities across the United States. Our findings reveal that nearly one-half
of our sample reported experiencing violence and that prolonged duration of homelessness
(greater than 2 years) and being older increased the risk of experiencing a violent attack.
In addition, increased length of homelessness and female gender predicted experiencing
rape. Women were also significantly more likely to know one’s perpetrator and experience
continued suffering after a violent attack. We conclude that certain subpopulations within
the homeless population are at an increased risk for victimization require added protective services; implications for health care and policy recommendations are also discussed.

Article BY: Molly Meinbresse, MPH, (National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Nashville, Tennessee), Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, MA, MS (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee),
Amy Grassette, (Family Health Center of Worcester, Massachusetts), Joseph Benson, (Healthcare for the Homeless Houston, Texas), Carol Hall, (North Broward Hospital District Health Care for the Homeless,
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida), Reginald Hamilton, (Advantage Health Centers, Detroit, Michigan), Marianne Malott, (Community Health Clinics of Lane County, Eugene, Oregon), Darlene Jenkins, DrPH, MPH, CHES,
(National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Nashville, Tennessee)