The occurrence of sexual violence is related to one’s access to safe and affordable housing. This is true for both sexual violence perpetration and victimization. Oppression can both heighten risk and compound the barriers that sexual violence victims and survivors encounter in housing arenas. This guide is intended to equip advocates with information and resources to support their housing advocacy efforts. To these ends, information on housing as both a sexual violence prevention and intervention advocacy area is explored.

In 2008, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center partnered with the Victims Rights Law Center, National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project, Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, University of New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania Community Legal Services to develop and conduct a national survey on housing and sexual violence.  This report provides a summary of key survey findings and policy recommendations.

This online collection was developed by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to assist communities in developing more effective strategies to address the complex issue of housing and sexual violence. Additional resources, including book titles, articles, reports, and journals can be found by browsing the library, searching our publications or by sending an information request.

Sexual violence and housing are intricately linked by several factors including access to affordable housing, various forms of oppression and sex offender management.  This four page document offers information on each of these topics as well as a section on how advocates can help survivors.

Safe, affordable, and stable housing can be a protective factor against both sexual violence perpetration and victimization.  This two page fact sheet offers information on the impact of housing costs, housing and various forms of oppression, and how advocates can help. 

This bulletin discusses the links between homelessness and sexual violence, barriers to receiving services and information on what rape crisis centers can do to meet the needs of people who are homeless. 

This guide includes definitions and discussion of terms; a review of current literature showing the links between sexual violence and poverty; a philosophical framework for
economic advocacy; strategies for applying economic advocacy to the
work; concluding thoughts; tools and resources; and fact sheets.

This issue brief reviews research regarding the involvement of unaccompanied, homeless youth in various types of sexual exploitation including survival sex and recruitment into the commercial sex industry and will recommend a series of programmatic responses to meet their needs. While research indicates that the majority of homeless youth avoid victimization in the commercial sex industry, its harmful impact on long‐term health and wellness scars tens of thousands of youth annually. Current rates of victimization among homeless youth are unacceptable, and its continued existence indicates an urgent need for an increased national investment in outreach, supportive services, and housing.

Homeless Youth and Sexual Exploitation: Research Findings and Practice Implications
 

This report discusses the results of a survey, conducted by the National Law Center On Homelessness & Poverty, of landlord sexual assault and/or rape of tenants. It explores the ways that sexual violence may contribute to homelessness and restricted access to housing for low-income individuals. The report provides recommendations and helpful steps for advocates and attorneys. The report also provides a list of State laws that ensure housing rights for survivors of sexual violence and includes contact information for Fair Housing Organizations.
 
Preventing Homelessness and Ensuring Housing Rights for Victims of Landlord Sexual Assault

This paper consolidates knowledge about the damaging interplay between homelessness and sexual violence. It clarifies steps researchers, policy-makers, and service providers can take to intervene with victims and prevent future sexual assaults.
 
No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women