The relationship between sexual violence and housing is multi-layered and complex. Safe and affordable housing is a protective factor against sexual violence (both victimization and perpetration) and a basic need in recovering from a sexual assault. The majority of sexual assaults take place in or near victims’ homes or the homes of friends, relatives, or neighbors. Because of this, many victims wish to relocate after their sexual assaults, but often find they cannot do so because of limited resources. The effects of sexual violence can create an economic downward spiral for many victims, jeopardizing their access to safe and affordable housing. Homelessness increases the risks for both sexual violence perpetration and victimization.

This collection was developed by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to assist communities in developing more effective strategies to address this complex issue. Additional resources, including book titles, articles, reports, and journals can be found by browsing the library at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center or sending information requests to resources@nsvrc.org [2].