Studies investigating the experience of violence by homeless women date to the mid 1980’s, but most prior research has been more concerned with establishing the face of violence committed against these extremely vulnerable women than in exploring the risk factors responsible for it. This multi-site statewide study examined the experience of violence among 800 homeless women living in one of four cities in Florida and a comparison sample of approximately 100 men. A significant number of women were victimized in their lifetime, and almost one-quarter of the women indicated that violence was one, if not the main reason they were homeless. The primary goal of this study was to develop an understanding of the role of violence in the lives of homeless women and men. The objectives are to determine how many women and men have experienced some form of violence in their lives either as children or adults, factors associated with experiences of violence, consequences of violence, and types of interactions with the justice system.
