Sexual Violence & Housing Resource List Many survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment have housing needs. For some survivors, home may not be a safe place, and they may need to leave due to sexual violence happening in their home being perpetrated by household members, landlords, or neighbors. For others, they may need to find safe alternative housing to heal from and lessen the effects of trauma they have experienced, especially if the sexual assault occurred in their home, or if the person who perpetrated the sexual assault knows where they live. Survivors need safe housing options to stay safe from and heal from sexual assault (National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, n.d.). Additionally, many people experiencing homelessness have experienced sexual assault prior to becoming homeless (Slesnick et al., 2018). Experiencing homelessness is also a risk factor for experiencing sexual assault (Breiding et al., 2017; Meinbresse et al., 2014). Safe, affordable, and stable housing can be a protective factor against experiencing sexual victimization (Hoedemaker, 2010). Check out the resources below to learn more about the connections between sexual assault, abuse, harassment, homelessness, and housing needs. Advocates can use these resources to better serve survivors by addressing housing needs they may have. Many of the resources are available online. Additional resources on the connections between violence and housing can be found at www.safehousingpartnerships.org. Find additional resources in our expanded online resource collection for sexual assault advocates, dual domestic violence and sexual violence programs, and housing and homeless service providers at www.nsvrc.org/sexual-violence-housing-resource-collection Housing, Homelessness, and Sexual Violence: Annotated Bibliography (2020, PDF, 16 pages) https://bit.ly/HousingAnnoBib This annotated bibliography by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) highlights research articles between 2010 — 2020 on the relationship between sexual violence, housing, and homelessness. Current research suggests that people who have experienced homelessness are at an increased risk for experiencing sexual violence, and that sexual violence is a risk factor for homelessness and housing instability. What Are the Links Between Sexual Violence and Housing? (2020, Webpage) https://bit.ly/SVHousingInfo This infographic series by NSVRC highlights statistics on the connections between sexual violence, housing, and homelessness. Sexual Violence in Housing during COVID-19 (Webinar recording, 1 hour) https://bit.ly/SVhousingCOVID This webinar focuses on the link between sexual violence and housing, how housing insecurity and homelessness impact survivors of sexual violence, the impact of COVID-19 on survivors, and what survivors need regarding housing. Housing and Sexual Violence Information Packet (2012, PDF, multiple resources) https://bit.ly/SVhousingPacket NSVRC used information gathered from a 2008 national survey on housing and sexual violence to develop this packet. It includes a report, an overview of the topic, a fact sheet, and a technical assistance bulletin to support the advocacy of housing needs survivors may face. In Focus: Sexual Violence Economic Security for Survivors Project (2015, PDF, 5 pages) https://bit.ly/SurvivorEconomics This resource by Wider Opportunities for Women addresses the impact of trauma from sexual violence on economic security. Community-Based Advocates Toolkit: How to Make Sure Your Clients Have Safe Housing (2019, PDF, 52 pages) https://bit.ly/SafeHousingToolkit This toolkit by Larisa Kofman, from the National Alliance for Safe Housing, and Karlo Ng, from the National Housing Law Project, is a resource guide for providers helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence address their housing needs. Creating Spaces of Healing: Exploring Housing Advocacy (2018, PDF, 6 pages) https://bit.ly/SpacesofHealing This resource by the Resource Sharing Project outlines the advocate’s role in housing advocacy, community partnerships, and assisting survivors in finding new housing. About the Consortium The Domestic Violence and Housing Technical Assistance Consortium is funded by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Consortium supports a technical assistance team of five national organizations: Collaborative Solutions, Inc., National Alliance for Safe Housing, National Network to End Domestic Violence, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and National Sexual Violence Resource Center. The Consortium provides training, technical assistance, and resource development at the critical intersection of homelessness and domestic violence and sexual assault. References Breiding, M., Basile, K. C., Klevens, J., & Smith, S. G. (2017). Economic insecurity and intimate partner and sexual violence victimization. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(4), 457–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.03.021 Hoedemaker, S. (2010). Opening the door: An advocate’s guide to housing and sexual violence. National Sexual Violence Resource Center. https://www.nsvrc.org/publications/opening-door-advocates-guide-housing-and-sexual-violence Meinbresse, M., Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Grassette, A., Benson, J., Hall, C., Hamilton, R., Malott, M., & Jenkins, D. (2014). Exploring the experiences of violence among individuals who are homeless using a consumer-led approach. Violence and Victims, 29(1), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-12-00069 National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. (n.d.). Housing protections for victims [Webpage]. National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. https://endsexualviolence.org/where_we_stand/housing-protections-for-victims/ Slesnick, N., Zhang, J., & Yilmazer, T. (2018). Employment and other income sources among homeless youth. Journal of Primary Prevention, 39(3), 247-262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-018-0511-1 This project was supported by Grant No. 2018-TA-AX-K027 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. www.nsvrc.org | www.safehousingpartnerships.org © 2021 National Sexual Violence Resource Center.