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Cycle of Perpetual Vulnerability for Women Facing Homelessness near an Urban Library in a Major U.S. Metropolitan Area

Author

Listed:
  • Janny S. Li

    (School of Social Work, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Lianne A. Urada

    (School of Social Work, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

Abstract

Background: Homelessness among women and the multiple vulnerabilities they endure (sexual exploitation/human trafficking, violence, and mental health issues) is a perpetually unresolved issue in the U.S. and globally. Methods: This study is based on qualitative in-depth interviews accompanied by brief socio-demographic surveys conducted among 32 total participants, consisting of cisgender females ( n = 17) and cisgender males ( n = 15) experiencing homelessness at a large public library. Results: Of the women, 35% were White, 35% Latina, 18% African American/Black, and 18% LGBT. Half of all participants said in qualitative interviews that they witnessed violence against women, and/or experienced unwanted harassment/sexual exploitation; one in three described suspected human trafficking. Of the women interviewed, half struggled with mental health symptoms, feelings of hopelessness, and nearly all reported isolation; approximately one-third had substance use issues. Many described an inadequate number of emergency and long-term shelters Available for women facing homelessness; many had to wait or saw other women waiting to get into shelters and faced abuse on the streets in the meantime. Conclusion: The emergent themes showed that women face a “cycle of perpetual vulnerability” with three relational pathways: iterated trauma from chronic abuse/violence inflicted on them, a state of paralysis due to inadequate availability of supportive services, shelters, and mental health resources to cover all women living on the streets, leaving women susceptible to being a target phenotype for predators.

Suggested Citation

  • Janny S. Li & Lianne A. Urada, 2020. "Cycle of Perpetual Vulnerability for Women Facing Homelessness near an Urban Library in a Major U.S. Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5985-:d:400404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lianne A. Urada & Janie Simmons & Betty Wong & Kiyomi Tsuyuki & Gerlita Condino-Enrera & Laufred I. Hernandez & Nymia Pimentel Simbulan & Anita Raj, 2016. "A human rights-focused HIV intervention for sex workers in Metro Manila, Philippines: evaluation of effects in a quantitative pilot study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(8), pages 945-957, November.
    2. Riley, E.D. & Cohen, J. & Knight, K.R. & Decker, A. & Marson, K. & Shumway, M., 2014. "Recent violence in a community-based sample of homeless and unstably housed women with high levels of psychiatric comorbidity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(9), pages 1657-1663.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Matheson & Jacquie Kidd & Heather Came, 2021. "Women, Patriarchy and Health Inequalities: The Urgent Need to Reorient Our Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-4, April.
    2. Lianne A. Urada & Melanie J. Nicholls & Stephen R. Faille, 2022. "Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
    3. Mounah Abdel-Samad & Jerel P. Calzo & Jennifer K. Felner & Lianne Urada & Matthew E. Verbyla & Hala Madanat & Brian E. Adams & Thais Alves & Bruce Appleyard & Joshua Chanin & Shawn Flanigan & Hisham F, 2021. "Conceptualizing an Interdisciplinary Collective Impact Approach to Examine and Intervene in the Chronic Cycle of Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.

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