Domestic Violence Survivor & Homeless Too? A CA Cohort Shows What Can Be Done

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The war on women takes many forms — take homelessness for example. Experiencing intimate partner violence places a person at particular risk of homelessness. For those who do manage to escape, it’s confusing and often impossible to get help. What might make a difference? Some are calling for more gender-conscious policy. Organizations across California are coming together to address this issue, break down silos and bring survivors into decision-making. But their work is in danger. This July, VOCA (the federal Victims of Crimes Act), which funds everything from crisis hotlines to transitional housing, is slated to lose 45% of its funding. What can be done? Laura Flanders is joined by Teniecka Drake, a US Air Force veteran, and Yenni Rivera Martinez, two survivors of domestic violence-related homelessness who now work as advocates, and Krista Colón, the Senior Director of Public Policy for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. How does housing policy need to change? And what difference does applying a gender lens make? And later in the show Laura shares some closing thoughts on the cruel punishment case involving a homeless woman that is currently before the Supreme Court.

“The lack of housing for survivors and the struggles of survivors navigating the homelessness system is a commonality shared all across the state. [The HOME Cohort is] bringing folks together to work on shared solutions . . . They've produced tools for survivors . . .” - Krista Colón

“See the person, not just the data. The data is attached to a person. In order to make the proper policies, you need to know who you're affecting, your constituents. You need to know who they are.” - Teniecka Drake

"You don't end up with zero, you end up with negative because now you're borrowing money, especially once you have a baby. How do you get formula? How do you get diapers? How do you get clothing?” - Yenni Rivera Martinez

Guests:

• Krista Colón: Senior Director of Public Policy & Communications Strategies, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence 

• Teniecka Drake: Survivor Advocates Team, Rainbow Services

• Yenni Rivera Martinez: Family System CES Coordinator, LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority); Survivor Advocate, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

Correction: In the study referenced in the intro it is 17 percent of cis-women - and 8 percent of all individuals experiencing homelessness - not 35 percent - who reported also experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence. https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/2024-01/IPV%20Report%202024.pdf

Full Episode Notes are located HERE.  They include related episodes, articles, and more.

Music In the Middle: Eric Kupper remix of “U Try Livin’ Pressure” by Black Guy White Guy and 808 BEACH featuring Anelisa Lamola related by The Red Hot Organization.  "Steppin" and "The Gall" by Podington Bear.

Laura Flanders and Friends Crew:  Laura Flanders, along with Sabrina Artel, Jeremiah Cothren, Veronica Delgado, Janet Hernandez, Jeannie Hopper, Gina Kim, Sarah Miller, Nat Needham, David Neuman, and Rory O’Conner. 

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