Conference papers

No exit : violence, gender and the streets

Suzanne E Hatty and Stuart Burke
Southern Cross University; and
Nanette J Davis
Portland State University, United States of America

Published in:
International victimology : selected papers from the 8th International Symposium : proceedings of a symposium held 21-26 August 1994
Chris Sumner, Mark Israel, Michael O'Connell and Rick Sarre (eds.)
ISBN 0 642 24008 6 ; ISSN 1034-5086
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 1996

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Abstract

The authors present the results of their interviews with over 100 homeless young women in Sydney and analyse the link between gender and homelessness. They argue that the sheer frequency and volume of violence directed at children in the family, and their perceived need to escape in order to survive, is a critical factor in producing youth homelessness. The attempt to escape the culture of violence is thwarted by the hazards of street life. The authors suggest that for homeless youth living without security or shelter, the search for a safe haven is often futile.