We’re in pursuit of a long-term transitional housing prograM

Without Housing A Victim Is More Likely To Go Back To His or Her Abuser

Although emergency housing can provide a pathway to freedom, there are many barriers that prevent survivors from obtaining or maintaining secure and affordable housing. The majority of survivors experience financial abuse, meaning that they have not had access to family finances, have been prohibited from working, or have had their credit scores destroyed by the abusive partner.

The convergence of domestic violence, homelessness, and housing instability is undeniable, as a lack of secure and affordable housing is often reported as one of the primary barriers survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault face when they leave an abusive partner.

Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and children. More than 90 percent of homeless women experience severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives, and 63 percent have been victims of domestic or sexual violence.

Victims may also face discrimination in accessing or maintaining housing based on the violent or criminal actions of perpetrators. Additionally, victims are limited in the locations and types of housing they can access because of their unique safety and confidentiality needs and many housing or homelessness assistance programs have barriers that inadvertently exclude victims of violence.

SHARE OUR VISION OF LONG TERM OR PERMANENT HOUSING FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE - LET'S NOT BUY INTO THE STATUS QUO! IT'S TIME FOR A NEW VISION IN A NEW WORLD!!

BY: TERRY B. HUGHEY

AS A SURVIVOR

As a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault; someone who stayed for several years, I'll do my best to give you the top 5 reasons why abuse victims go back to abusive relationships, often several times.

I'm not a psychologist, counselor or therapist; so don't be misled to think I am. But, I've been there and lived it. I was one of the abuse victims who went back, time and again. My explanation is from the voice of experience, and from listening to other victims/survivors, and exchanging thoughts with them. My intent is to answer the question "why" by giving you what, in my opinion and experience, are the top 5 reasons "Why."

But first you must understand that domestic abuse victims come from many varied backgrounds. They aren't all poor, they are not all welfare recipients, some grew up in abusive homes and some didn't. Many are women, there are a lot more male victims than people realize, and sadly, many are children and the elderly.

However, all abuse victims share one thing in common in the beginning of these relationships. That is, we don't understand what is happening nor the dynamics and cycle of an abusive relationship. And so we get dragged in. Once trapped in the relationship, we cannot "see" or it takes quite a while (and many abuses later) before we start to see.

THE TOP 5 REASONS ARE:

Lack of Resources: The survivor may not be employed or may not have access to alternate housing, cash or bank accounts
It’s dangerous to leave. Like, VERY dangerous
What about the kids?
Society perpetuates a ride-or-die mindset
They believe that if they stick it out, things might change

No matter the circumstances, survivors deserve to be supported in their decision-making and be empowered to reclaim control over their own lives.

WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THERE IS HELP FOR YOU!!! AND RUFS FOUNDATION WILL HELP YOU FIND IT!!!

BY: CHERYL M. HUGHEY

Sexual Assault in the United States

Adult Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual Assault Doesn't Discriminate By Race, Orientation, Gender Or Identity

NEITHER DOES RUFS FOUNDATION!

One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives
In the U.S., one in three women and one in six men experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime
51.1% of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and 40.8% by an acquaintance
52.4% of male victims report being raped by an acquaintance and 15.1% by a stranger
Almost half (49.5%) of multiracial women and over 45% of American Indian/Alaska Native women were subjected to some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime
91% of victims of rape and sexual assault are female, and nine percent are male
In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator
Eight percent of rapes occur while the victim is at work

Child Sexual Abuse

WE WILL HELP EDUCATE PARENTS, SO THEY WILL KNOW THE SIGNS AND HOW TO RESPOND TO THEIR CHILD!!!

One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old
30% of women were between the ages of 11 and 17 at the time of their first completed rape
12.3% of women were age 10 or younger at the time of their first completed rape victimization
27.8% of men were age 10 or younger at the time of their first completed rape victimization
More than one third of women who report being raped before age 18 also experience rape as an adult
96% of people who sexually abuse children are male, and 76.8% of people who sexually abuse children are adults
34% of people who sexually abuse a child are family members of the child. It is estimated that 325,000 children per year are currently at risk of becoming victims of commercial child sexual exploitation
The average age at which girls first become victims of prostitution is 12-14 years old, and the average age at which boys first become victims of prostitution is 11-13 years old
Only 12% of child sexual abuse is ever reported to the authorities