An Analysis of the Correlations Between Intimate Partner Violence and Homelessness in a Canadian Urban Centre
This research was funded by a Government of Canada research grant from Homelessness Partnering Strategy within Employment and Social Development Canada.
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The following offers a summary and highlights of findings from the Report.
Summary
This study was aimed at exploring the correlation between intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and homelessness, with an emphasis on the victimization of male identified individuals. The study examined the rates of IPV victimization among male and female clients of abstinent emergency shelters and drop-in centres in the sampled Canadian urban centre. The study was also interested in the degree of satisfaction of clients with the services provided by these facilities.
It was found that IPV victimization is correlated with homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues. Male victims of IPV were 3.55 times more likely to have experienced homelessness, compared to males who were not victims. Interestingly, male identified individuals were nearly two times more likely to state they would attend a “men’s domestic violence shelter” as opposed to attending a gender-neutral “domestic violence shelter.” This indicates a stigma that males attach to their victimization. Despite similar rates of reported victimization, only 30% of male respondents identified as victims , whereas 59% of female respondents identified as victims. The research found a strong correlation between male victims of IPV, and homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues.
Furthermore, this study recommends that additional resources be made available for community agencies that provide counselling for IPV victims. The additional resources are intended to ensure that existing services are expanded to allow both male and female identified victims of IPV to receive trauma-informed services.
Key Recommendations
• Ensure that male IPV victims have access to facilities that provide emergency accommodations to men fleeing violence
• Provide additional resources to community agencies for trauma-informed services, including addition and mental health services, for male victims of IPV.
Statistical Highlights from the Report
•76% of male respondents indicated being psychologically abused by their intimate partner, and 75% of male respondents indicated being psychologically abusive towards their intimate partner (n=219).
• 60% of male respondents self-reported as being victims of physical violence in their intimate partner relationships, and 52% self-reported as having perpetrated physically against their intimate partner (n=219).
• 66% of male respondents indicated having experienced depression that they linked to their victimization (n=168)
• 48% of male respondents indicated having experienced some form of anxiety that was linked to their victimization (n=163)
• 11% of male respondents indicated having attempted suicide as a result of their IPV victimization (n=168)
• 53% of male respondents indicated having used alcohol to cope with their IPV victimization (n=166)
• 49% of male respondents self-reported as having used drugs to cope with their IPV victimization (n=164)
• Only 22% of male respondents indicated that they would attend a domestic violence shelter (n=172)
• 40% of male respondents indicated that they would attend men’s domestic violence shelter (n=203)
• 28% of male respondents indicated that they sought counselling to address their IPV victimization (n=167)
The result of this research will inform our work to open Toronto’s first Family Shelter for Abused Men and Children. Click here to support that project.
The funding also opens the door to other government grants. We are gearing up to respond to a request for proposals from the Government of Alberta’s Community Initiatives Program. Alberta will match funds raised through other means, so please become a Patron today.