World Homeless Day: The Susceptible Victims to Sexual Violence

By Ariana Rodriguez-Goris

Homelessness is nothing new, but the surgence of Covid 19 the disease and a global pandemic following put a lot of individuals at risk of unstable housing. Five years later we are able to see some of the trickled down effects of the pandemic. To be very clear the pandemic was not the exclusive reason for a lack of stable housing, but across the country we have been able to see a spike since then of the struggle to maintain or achieve stable housing. As a non-profit organization geared towards helping victims and survivors it would be irresponsible to not acknowledge links between housing or a potential lack thereof and sexual violence.

World homeless day is October 10th it was intended to raise awareness, provide compassion and understanding for people experiencing it. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center 1 in 5 adults who were unhoused reported being physically or sexually assaulted while unhoused. Depending on a person's location resources might be able to be provided to them, for example shelters. With that being said because of the growing demand sometimes there is less supply than demand. According to studies, 38% of homeless LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 25 experienced being raped. 23% of homeless young adults ages 18 to 26 had engaged in a sex trade. 40% of homeless female and 3.3% of homeless male veterans experienced military sexual trauma. Seventeen percent of people who identify as transgender were sexually assaulted while staying in a homeless shelter

The connection between homelessness and sexual violence is not just a statistic—it’s a lived reality for far too many. Survivors experiencing housing insecurity often face unimaginable choices, and the cycle of trauma can feel inescapable without support. At The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors, we believe that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and a place to heal. By understanding the deep-rooted link between homelessness and sexual assault, we can work together to break this cycle—through advocacy, housing support, trauma-informed care, and unwavering compassion. Healing is possible, and with your help, hope can be, too.

While we do not provide shelter or housing service, that does not mean that we do not see the toll that a lack of housing while also trying to process and heal from a tragic experience such as sexual violence can have on a person or even their family. It is important to display compassion and understanding to the best of our ability to others. Hopefully while reading this blog post, you are able to have a deeper understanding for the layered trauma that can be inflicted on a houseless person. This is not to say that every person who experiences housing insecurity will face sexual violence or sexual trauma, but this is to say that a person's housing status can leave them more vulnerable than other people.

We understand that the subject of sexual violence alone can be/ is very heavy. At The Center we are committed to creating a world that is free from sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. We provide free and confidential one on one

counseling, men and women support groups, 24/7 crisis hotline, victim advocacy, hospital/ court accompaniment, and community education. Regardless of your housing status everyone deserves autonomy over their body. Because Sexual Assault Affects Us All.