The role of structural violence in family homelessness

Abstract

Objective This study examines the impacts of structural violence on women and how this can influence their trajectory into and their sustainable exits from homelessness. Methods The research is qualitative and community-based, including 15 interviews with mothers living in emergency shelters and a group interview with nine professionals. An advisory group was formed through partnership with community services to provide project oversight and guide and interpret the results. A member check group consisting of seven mothers with recent experiences of homelessness was engaged to further refine findings and implications. The research team used Critical Social Theory, in particular feminist theory, as an analysis framework in order to account for the implications of structural violence on mothers with diverse and complex histories. Results The results highlight three structural-level factors: gendered pathways into homelessness, systems of support that create structural barriers, and disjointed services that exacerbate trauma. Conclusion The authors propose systems-level changes rooted in trauma-informed approaches to facilitate a sustainable exit from homelessness for mothers and their children. Résumé Objectif Examiner les répercussions de la violence structurelle sur les femmes et son influence possible sur leur cheminement vers l'itinérance et sur leur sortie durable de l'itinérance. Méthode Notre étude qualitative et communautaire a comporté 15 entretiens avec des mères vivant dans des refuges d'urgence et un entretien de groupe avec neuf professionnels. Un groupe consultatif a été créé en partenariat avec des services de proximité pour assurer la supervision du projet et en guider et en interpréter les résultats. Un groupe de contrôle, composé de sept mères ayant vécu une expérience récente d'itinérance, a été recruté pour peaufiner les constatations et les conséquences de l'étude. L'équipe de recherche a utilisé la théorie sociale critique, en particulier la théorie féministe, comme cadre d'analyse pour tenir compte des conséquences de la violence structurelle sur les mères aux antécédents divers et complexes. Résultats Les résultats font ressortir trois facteurs structurels : les cheminements genrés vers l'itinérance, les systèmes de soutien qui créent des obstacles structurels, et les services fragmentaires qui exacerbent les traumatismes. Conclusion Les auteures proposent des changements systémiques ancrés dans des démarches sensibles aux traumatismes pour favoriser une sortie durable de l'itinérance pour les mères et leurs enfants.

“Ashamed, Silent and Stuck in a System”—Applying a Structural Violence Lens to Midwives’ Stories on Social Disadvantage in Pregnancy

“…Similar to other structural violence research our analysis was able to indicate structural-level factors that exacerbate inequities and produce reproductive injustices. Similar to Milaney et al [ 34 ], we could see patterns of gendered injustices, structural barriers to receiving support and disconnected services that exacerbate trauma. Adding longitudinal social network analysis might enable more nuanced perspectives on root origins of inequities and offer ideas for solutions [ 32 ] that tie structural violence to a broader theoretical framework and can offer a stronger mandate for action [ 28 ].…”

Spaces of Exclusion: Safety, Stigma, and Surveillance of Mothers Experiencing Homelessness

“…Mothers were prohibited from inhabiting safe spaces, as no spaces in their lives were truly safe. Safety, including access to spaces free from violence, discrimination, and surveillance can be limited for those experiencing homelessness (Bullock, Truong, & Chhun, 2017), with particular vulnerability for mothers and their children (Milaney et al., 2017). Study participants described their lack of safety before, after, and during homelessness within private (e.g., homes where violence or trauma occurred), institutional (e.g., shelters, health-care organizations), and public spaces (e.g., city streets, buses).…”

“…Mothers experiencing homelessness live at the intersection of multiple compounding sources of inequity in a hierarchical society that devalues the lives of women (Neysmith, 1995) and mothers (O’Reilly, 2016). Similar to the homeless population in general, mothers experiencing homelessness face significant health consequences related to homelessness, such as high rates of mortality and multiple acute and chronic health conditions (Fazel, Geddes, & Kushel, 2014; Hwang, Wilkins, Tjepkema, O’Campo, & Dunn, 2009); however, researchers have recognized how the presence of children and gender-specific vulnerabilities adds complexity to homelessness for mothers (Milaney, Ramage, Yang Fang, & Louis, 2017).…”

Common trust and personal safety issues: A systematic review on the acceptability of health and social interventions for persons with lived experience of homelessness

“…[11] Structural violence manifests as unequal access to social systems of support like housing, health care, education and employment. [12] For example, the inability for individuals with “no fixed address” to receive coverage for healthcare or social services demonstrates how structural violence could stand in the way of addressing fundamental human needs. [13,14] Despite the impact of these structures on some of the most underserved patients, with few exceptions, primary care practitioners are not trained to influence such social forces[11] nor do they consistently have the capacity to adequately address their related social determinants of health [15].…”