October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and National Bullying Prevention Month. Empower Yolo commenced its 10th Annual Paint Yolo Purple (the color purple representing Domestic Violence Awareness) Month of Action campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and anti-bullying, and help fund Empower Yolo’s essential services for survivors of abuse and their families.
This month, we aim to raise awareness of the connection between domestic violence and homelessness for survivors and their children. It’s crucial to challenge stereotypes about homelessness and understand how domestic violence can result in housing insecurity, affecting a survivor and their family’s home life, safety, and stability.
“Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and families and we are seeing it every day at Empower Yolo,” says Lorena Palomar, Housing Director, Empower Yolo.
A recent study conducted by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence and Blue Shield of California found that 57% of homeless women attributed domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness, and 80% of mothers and their children experiencing homelessness had previously experienced domestic violence. See The Intersection of Housing Instability and Domestic Violence, 2024.
“Many of our housing clients are domestic violence survivors,” says Palomar. Witnessing domestic violence can have a serious negative impact on children. “Children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence may have behavioral problems, low self-esteem, depression, and mental health problems,” adds Palomar.
Victims of domestic violence stay in abusive relationships for many reasons some may include fear of physical harm, lack of financial independence, concern for children, religious beliefs, immigration status, and lack of affordable housing.
The threat of homelessness is a significant reason for victims of domestic violence to stay in abusive relationships. If someone is experiencing domestic violence the lack of affordable housing can result in a survivor making the impossible choice between staying in an abusive relationship or becoming homeless.
The immediate need of a survivor leaving an abusive situation is safety. Some survivors may safely stay in their own homes with additional financial support through rental assistance, while others may require a temporary stay in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program before returning to independent housing. Empower Yolo’s housing advocates strive to empower survivors and support them in seeking and finding affordable housing if they choose to leave their situations.
“Empower Yolo’s main priority is clients’ safety,” says Palomar. Empower Yolo provides emergency shelter to those in need and advocates assure clients that their personal information is protected and confidential. In 2023 Empower Yolo provided safe shelter to 170 survivors of abuse (of which 79 were children) for 10,413 bed nights.
“After assessing a client’s situation, staff prioritizes providing basic needs items and services because clients who are fleeing domestic violence often leave their personal belongings behind. The housing advocate can assist clients in obtaining copies of important documents that may be lost or have been left behind. After a needs assessment for services is completed, a housing advocate will work closely with the client to develop an individualized case plan and housing plan,” says Palomar. The housing department offers peer counseling, case management, housing search, application assistance, landlord mediation, budgeting, and other housing-related services.
In addition to shelter, Empower Yolo also offers many other services to survivors and their children including 24-hour crisis intervention, legal advocacy, confidential counseling for adults and children, support groups, housing services, financial empowerment services, case management, mobile medicine, food, clothing, and so much more.
Domestic violence survivors can face significant barriers when seeking and maintaining stable and safe housing. Abusers may affect survivors’ economic stability by making them economically dependent. Survivors may also lack support networks, be unemployed, have poor credit, or poor rental history due to domestic violence. These economic barriers can make finding stable housing nearly impossible for many survivors. These obstacles are often amplified depending on a survivor’s race/ethnicity, immigration status, or English language proficiency.
“Our housing advocates continue to meet with their clients and provide ongoing support advocacy to assist clients in breaking down barriers, setting and meeting client-driven goals to gain self-sufficiency, and providing financial assistance to secure permanent housing,” says Palomar.
Empower Yolo’s housing department has made significant strides over the past few years, and housing advocates were successful in securing safe housing for survivors and their children. Last year, the housing department assisted 522 housing clients with rental assistance, homeless prevention, case management, advocacy, and support.
It’s important for us as a community to raise awareness about this housing crisis and how it affects survivors. “By educating the public, raising awareness, and ensuring that services are inclusive and trauma-informed we can better support survivors of abuse and their children. Promoting educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities that focus on the realities of domestic violence is essential,” says Palomar.
This year’s Paint Yolo Purple campaign in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month will include the following events and activities:
Local business outreach: the board of directors is connecting with businesses throughout Yolo County in October to share information about services. Thank you to all the local businesses for their support! If you are a business owner and would like information about domestic violence to share with staff and customers please contact us at [email protected].
Mojo’s Celebrity Bartending Night at Mojo’s Lounge, 428 1st Street, Woodland, Tuesday, October 8, 5-7 pm: Please join us for our DVAM kick-off event. Our celebrity server is Melinda Aiello, Chief Deputy District Attorney. Join us for a fun, casual evening to learn more about Empower Yolo and support domestic violence programs. Empower Yolo will receive a portion of the proceeds from the “Cocktail for a Cause” for October.
DVAM Proclamation, Tuesday, October 15: The Davis City Council will present a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Davis City Hall, Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30 pm.
Wear Purple Day, Thursday, October 17: Wear purple, the color of domestic violence awareness, to show your support for survivors. Post your photo to show your support; tag #wearpurpleday2024, @empoweryolo (FB), @empower_yolo (IG).
Domestic violence can have a pervasive effect on the housing stability of survivors as well as their children and families. The community can help by supporting survivors, raising awareness about domestic violence and homelessness, and donating to domestic violence and housing programs. Donate in honor of or in memory of survivors you know who have been impacted by domestic violence any time at empoweryolo.org. Your support is vital in maintaining our emergency safe house and sustaining our housing program.
It’s an impossible decision for victims to choose between enduring abuse or facing homelessness due to the lack of affordable housing. Empowering survivors with safe housing options is crucial. Raising awareness, advocating for affordable housing, and providing safe shelters are essential steps in supporting those affected. Together, let’s raise awareness about this important issue affecting families in our community and help provide safe housing and stability to empower survivors as they rebuild their lives.