By Cate Willis

A University of Guelph research project found that a lack of housing support has serious consequences for women facing intimate partner violence, making it more difficult for them to leave abusive situations.

The study, led by Dr. Paula Barata [1], a professor in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences [2], in collaboration with Lieran Docherty and Dicle Hann from WomanACT [3], Dr. Melissa Tanti, who worked at U of G’s Community Engaged Scholarship Institute [4], and postdoctoral student Dr. Daniely Sciarotta, examined the impact of intimate partner violence on housing security among young women and mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team determined that the shelters lacked mental health support and some staff were not trained in trauma-informed care. They also found that existing housing programs proved inaccessible due to prolonged waiting periods.

“The study emphasizes the importance of effective plans that treat housing as a fundamental right, both before and after violence occurs,” says Sciarotta. “Housing security is crucial in preventing intimate partner violence and for providing choices for women in abusive situations.

“We sought to underscore the significance of housing security as a preventive measure against intimate partner violence, aiming to inform policies and practices that enhance the well-being of survivors.”

This community-engaged research was conducted in two stages and was guided by a steering committee, which included four community organizations, two survivors with lived experience of intimate partner violence, and five U of G graduate students.

The first stage involved synthesizing existing literature on the impact of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence. In the second stage, the research team conducted interviews with young women and mothers who have experienced intimate partner violence.

The team conducted 29 online and telephone interviews with women aged 18 to 24 and/or parents of children 12 or younger residing in the Greater Toronto Area during the winter of 2023. These women, some with children and some without, experienced intimate partner violence and accessed related services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the women also produced digital stories, helping to enrich the analysis of the interviews and bring their experience to the attention of service providers and policymakers.

“These digital stories serve as powerful amplifiers, shedding light on the women’s personal experiences and accentuating our research findings,” says Barata. “They stand as a compelling call to service providers and policymakers, urging attention and action to address the issues and improve support systems.”

Sciarotta says that treating housing as a human right is essential for helping to end intimate partner violence.

“This research shows the importance of having effective plans that treat housing as a fundamental right – both before and after violence occurs,” she says. “Ensuring housing security is crucial in preventing IPV and providing choices for women in abusive situations.

“By having discussions, especially in academic and community settings, I believe they can contribute to raising awareness and facilitating positive changes in addressing intimate partner violence.”

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research [5] and the Azrieli Foundation [6].