Anna Page Policy, Public Affairs and Research Manager

Why focus on women?

Getting the right help to women at the right time Gather evidence Identify solutions Lobbying & service development

Getting the right help to women at the right time Women & homelessness Housing & homelessness Domestic abuse & sexual violence Children & families Drugs & alcohol Criminal justice Health & wellbeing Childhood trauma Employment & skills Involvement in prostitution

70% women rough sleepers in UK have experienced domestic violence 53% female clients have experienced domestic abuse Domestic violence led to 31% of St Mungo’s female clients becoming homeless 17% local authorities class single adult without children and fleeing DV as in priority need Domestic abuse & sexual violence

Of St Mungo’s female clients 29% use alcohol problematically 63% more than 5 years 36% more than 10 years 43% use drugs 66% more than 5 years 37% more than 10 years Different patterns of drug use Drugs & alcohol

Female specific specialist provision Arguments made for both female-only and mixed provision by both service users and professionals Service gap identified by submissions across themes Particular shortage of women’s services and accommodation for people with complex needs

Women-only specific provision for complex needs New analysis of outcomes star : Women in complex needs projects make more positive change in female-only than in mixed provision  Mental wellbeing: 52% women only, 30% mixed  Motivation: 41% women only, 28% mixed

Femininity: barriers for recovery and prevention Masculine Active Hard Strong Individual General Worker Male Feminine Passive Soft Weak Collective Particular Homemaker Female

Femininity: barriers for recovery and prevention Roles as mother and homemaker central constituents of femininity Stigma arising from not fulfilling these roles ‘ Simply I am trying to settle my exterior and interior in the way to give impression of a person, who has never been taking any drugs. I have to confirm and prove myself doubly to be recognised as good, fine young lady ’ Drug-using mother, Slovenia

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