When Erin made the courageous decision to leave her abusive partner – the man who controlled her access to money, friends, and family – she had saved enough cash for a week in a hotel. When her funds were gone, she called SAFE.
Your support allows us to operate a family shelter dedicated to helping survivors of violence and abuse, but like many organizations, our shelter has a long waitlist. Fortunately, our SAFEline advocates found a shelter in another town where Erin could stay. She had just enough money for a bus ticket, but the bus would not allow her dog – her best friend and support – to ride with her. Erin had to choose between homelessness and returning to a partner who left her frightened, bruised, and feeling broken. Like so many people who face violence, Erin became homeless.
As Austin works to better address homelessness, the emphasis has been on people who are most visible, primarily men living on downtown streets. But the numbers tell another story:
• 80% of U.S. moms experiencing homelessness had previously experienced domestic violence
• 70% of people experiencing homelessness in Austin/Travis County report that past trauma or abuse caused their current homelessness