By Michaela Campbell,

Homelessness can be a cataclysmic experience for vulnerable women experiencing multiple disadvantages, particularly when specialist female-only accommodations is non-existent and when their chaotic lifestyles are unequivocally misunderstood. Combining my experience as a frontline worker within homelessness services, and research interests as a part-time PhD student I invite you on a journey of understanding.

Although we are in quarantine, there is no need to leave your house - simply open your mind and adjust the lens in which you frame women with lived experience of homelessness. I encourage you to use a trauma and gender-informed lens, approaches which recognise the impact of past trauma (defined as an event which was physically/emotionally harmful or life-threatening) and acknowledges traumatic experiences differ by sex. To illustrate women are more likely to experience trauma, with 1 in every 20 women in England experiencing physical or sexual violence during their life-course compared 1 in every 100 men (Scott and McManus, 2016). Consequently, women are more likely than men to experience psychological harm as a result of trauma (Wilton and Williams, 2019). 

Where does trauma stem from for women with lived experience of homelessness? One explanation relates to adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) theory, from this perspective trauma is a result of a traumatic or stressful event during childhood which have a lasting impact on the individual throughout the life-course (Bond, 2018). I would like to introduce you to ‘Natasha’, I have had the privilege of supporting her on several occasions during her journey. Natasha has a history of homelessness, subjected to domestic abuse as a child and adult, has substance misuse issues, poor physical and mental health stemming from early childhood, engaged in prostitution, social care involvement in childhood and social care involvement with her own children in adulthood, Natasha is from a single-parent family, during childhood her primary carer was in custody. Natasha was placed in a mixed-sex hostel and met a risky male forming an abusive relationship. Natasha was evicted from the homeless hostel and is no longer engaging with support services. Natasha is still in a relationship with the risky male. 

Natasha’s journey in early childhood was turbulent and lacked stability. Exposure to adversity was both traumatic and stressful resulting in dysregulation and maladaptive coping strategies in the form of substance misuse and self-harm. Abusive relationships became accepted as the norm in the form of unhealthy attachment figures due to the absence of her primary carer, and the absence of a secure attachment. Natasha’s unresolved trauma also affects her ability to form trusting relationships which means engaging Natasha can be challenging. Natasha’s relationship with a risky male is a barrier to engagement. Domestic abuse undermines her liberty, places her at risk and limits access to Natasha. 

Neuroscientific research has grown exponentially in the UK in recent years, providing a beautiful illustration of how trauma and ACE’s are intrinsically linked. Neurobiological explanations also highlight how trauma affects the brain, formulating new neuropathways. Subsequently, this adversely affects one’s ability to self-regulate, process, and rationalise information and results in a state of hypervigilance. The ramifications of a woman’s exposure to trauma are largely underestimated within homelessness services. One explanation for this pertains to existing service delivery models, which have traditionally been designed on the needs of homeless men which provide general support. This approach has been widely criticised for failing women with lived experience of homelessness.

Consequently, a lack of trauma and gender-informed approaches contribute to women’s support needs being unmet and misunderstood. When women are triggered in homelessness services presenting behaviours are perceived as non-compliant, threatening or delinquent. Conversely, neuroscience would suggest an incident or event within the setting has triggered a traumatic memory activating the amygdala, as the woman prepares to respond to this perceived threat- also known as fight or flight. Implications of such behaviours in homelessness services include warnings or notices being issued, women being asked to leave or evicted. Most concerningly this creates a barrier to engagement and re-engagement with support services. There are some women who would rather occupy spaces which are unsafe then return to these settings. In practice, a one size fits all approach within homelessness services is triggering for women and contributes to both revictimization and retraumatization. 

There is a misconception amongst some individuals that homelessness can be remedied with housing. However, homelessness is not so black and white the solution is far more complex; housing alone does not address underlying issues or unresolved trauma. Compounded further by a news article featured in the Coventry Live on 21st April 2020  the headline reads “Homeless woman placed in temporary accommodation at Coventry hotel has died”. KairosWWT would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends at this heartbreaking time. We hope your soul has found peace at last. You were more than a label, a product of circumstance you were someone’s daughter, relative and friend. Whilst I appreciate local authorities are trying their best to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. In death, there are lessons to be learnt, (although this should not be the case) but no death should be in vain- things need to change. There is an abundance of literature which strongly criticises hotel provision as temporary accommodation. Now more than ever, the gap in specialised homelessness provision for women is palpable.

What lessons can be learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and how can this inform future practice? Firstly, as a society, the narratives towards women experiencing homelessness needs to change. Women should not be demonised but viewed with empathy and understanding. The government should ensure funding streams are sustainable within the voluntary sector, this would ensure the longevity of our impact and would provide universal sex-specific services for women to access. The local authority also has the jurisdiction to commission specialist female-only accommodation, women with lived experience must be consulted as part of this process, the service should provide wrap-around intensive support which adopts a holistic trauma, and gender-informed approach. This would help to provide security for women in the eye of the storm. Security and stability are essential before women begin to consider addressing underlying trauma which facilitates behaviour change. 

Before our journey concludes I would like to thank you for your objectiveness. Please pass this on, encourage others to be apart of this movement-changing the narratives for women with lived experience of homelessness. I also invite you to pause and light a candle for every woman who is a victim of COVID-19. The woman who lost her life in Coventry, for women trapped in abusive households and for every woman who feels that all hope is lost. You have not been forgotten; in solidarity, we light a candle to remember because every woman matters. 

Written by Michaela Campbell 

A Home of Her Own Project Lead 

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