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Domestic Violence and Poverty: The Narratives of Homeless Women


Hillary Howard 20'
(Newsjournal)
The article, “Domestic Violence and Poverty: The Narratives of Homeless Women” shares information
about both homeless women and battered women. Information about both types of women is described
and the article demonstrates the specific differences in needs that are needed by battered women, those
who suffer from domestic violence and those who are homeless for various other reasons. Women who
experience situations with an abusive partner need to be transferred to a home for victims of domestic
violence for thirty days before they can be transferred into a shelter for homeless women. This procedure
occurs so the women have the chance to be in an area where there is a zero percent chance of being
harmed and it gives them a place of comfort and security. With the major increase and high demand for
shelter for homeless women, researchers have realized that it is crucial to interview the women and figure
out the unique stories that lead them to seek shelter. Along with the interview, they also figure out which
women have children and if divorce is ever a reason. Described in the article is that the women are
divided within the shelter based on the reason they are in the home. Whether it be drug abuse, mental
issues, domestic violence, etc. it is important for the staff to run a tight shift and recognize the different
needs so there is no further conflict within the shelter. It is sometimes difficult for the interviewers to
figure out the difference because it is not as straightforward as portrayed on the media or outside of the
shelter. 
After reading this article it is very clear that there are many different issues and stories that the women
have experienced to end up in the shelters that they are in. This is interesting to me because it said in the
article that it is often not easy to get information for certain women and it is difficult to figure out the
reason why they have reached homelessness. Crucial but difficult, the staff need to get the information in
order to place the women in the correct place to give them the right service and help they need. This will
help with my research because as I visit shelters, I can keep my eye out for qualities that stand out of a
battered woman, drug abuse women, or women that became homeless for various other reasons. 

The author’s point of view was in the mind of a researcher that needs to figure out the best way to help
the women as they have experienced tragic situations that have led them to homelessness. The author is
for sure on the side of the homeless women and is certainly informing the reader on the exact differences
between a battered woman, and a homeless woman. It is important to read this article because it informs
the reader about something that is crucial to understand and it is intended for those who are interested in
helping change the way homeless people live and begin to make a change.

Williams, Jean Calterone. “Domestic Violence and Poverty: The Narratives of Homeless Women.”
Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, vol. 19, no. 2, 1998, pp. 143-165. JSTOR,
www.jstor.org/stable/3347163. Accessed 25 Jan. 2020.

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