By Brittney Hodnik
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

OTTAWA, Canada – According to a report released by the YWCA, women in Canada are facing an increased risk of homelessness due to many factors.  Teenage girls are quickly becoming the largest demographic for the face of homelessness.  Without the government’s help, the problem will only worsen.

 

According to The Montreal Gazette, homeless women are now resorting to “survival sex” just to find a place to sleep at night.  This is a form of prostitution and ‘hidden homelessness’ where women trade sexual favors for a place to spend the night.  Additionally, some women spend the night at houses of friends and family members, but often those people exploit and abuse them, reports The Montreal Gazette.

Teenage girls make up one-third to half of homeless youths in urban areas, according to The Wall Street Journal.  While many women flee to escape abuse, they find it waiting for them in the street, forcing them into a long cycle of homelessness.  According to Ann Decter, Director of Advocacy at YWCA Canada, “as many as 60% of homeless girls have been sexually abused,” reports The Wall Street Journal.

The YWCA’s report shows that homelessness is on the rise with women for many reasons.  Donna Brooks, the executive director at Prince Albert’s YWCA said many women become homeless because of the lack of affordable housing, domestic abuse, addictions, or mental health issues, according to News Talk 650.

Although the government programs give some money to women to support themselves, reports The Montreal Gazette, it is not nearly enough to cover rent and other necessities.  Women are forced back to the streets because they cannot afford everything they need.

Another problem is the lack of beds in shelters across Canada.  The YWCA’s report says more beds, and more women only shelters would help alleviate the problem a little bit.  Eric Desjardins, a front-line worker at Ottawa shelters said that not only do shelters need more beds, but also they need more people to work with the homeless women and get them on the right track, according to The Montreal Gazette.

Desjardins said, “There is need for more beds but therapies and programs should take priority.  There is a need for more caseworkers.  They are the ones who refer people to appropriate services and programs,” as reported by The Montreal Gazette.

The YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest women’s multi-service organization, according to The Wall Street Journal.  Although it reaches out to nearly 1 million women, girls, and families in Canada, there is still a shortage of beds and workers across the country.

For more information, please visit:

The French Tribune – Homeless Women Forced to Have ‘Survival Sex’ — 14 Mar. 2012

CKOM News Talk 650 — Women Face Increased Risk of Homelessness — 13 Mar. 2012

The Montreal Gazette — Lack of Shelter Spaces Forces Women to Resort to ‘Survival Sex’: Report — 13 Mar. 2012

The Wall Street Journal — Homelessness Now a “Women’s Issue,” Says YWCA Canada — 13 Mar. 2012