Exploring the Intersection of Sexual Assault and Housing

Survivors of sexual assault have complex housing needs. A survivor who is sexually assaulted in their home may need a safe place to stay in the immediate aftermath of the crime; a person experiencing housing insecurity might ask to stay at a friend’s house where they experience unwanted sexual advances; a tenant having difficulty paying rent may be sexually harassed by a landlord; a survivor’s past substance abuse may be used against them when applying for an apartment leading to housing instability; or an adult survivor of child sexual abuse may need to move abruptly after their perpetrator moves into the neighborhood. Sexual assault can happen anytime and anywhere. Wherever or whenever sexual assault occurs, the resulting trauma can create housing need immediately, intermittently, and throughout the lifespan. These needs are exacerbated for survivors in communities of color due to heightened barriers caused by systemic racism. To get to the root of the issue, the National Sexual Assault Housing Collaborative hosted a series of listening sessions in 2023 to hear directly from sexual assault advocates.

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