Like many IPV survivors, Cathy was without a home for several years to escape her abuser. Although she avoided living on the streets, Cathy experienced several years of instability, relying on couch-surfing and sleeping in her car.
During this phase, Cathy frequented Catholic Charities’ Housing Transitions Program (HTP) drop-in center. In addition to having a meal, access to a shower and many other vital resources, Cathy found compassion and community at HTP. In 2022, Cathy took her first major step toward stability by moving into Catholic Charities’ newly completed transitional supportive housing development, Chiles House.
Located next door to Catholic Charities’ headquarters, Cathy now had easy access to her case manager and her HTP community. No longer confined to her car, she decided to get a companion animal.
After a few months in Chiles House, Cathy received an email from her case manager about an opportunity to apply for permanent supportive housing in the neighborhood. Wasting no time, Cathy marched right over to HTP to fill out an application.
Cathy’s background, quick action, and rental history (thanks to Chiles House) made her an excellent candidate for this opportunity, and her application was accepted.
Now 72, Cathy has found stability. She and her animal companion are settling into their new one-bedroom apartment nicely. Cathy still visits the drop-in center every day for community and a cup of coffee. She beams, telling everyone how much she loves her new apartment. Cathy is finally home.
Cathy is one of many survivors of IPV who find a haven at Catholic Charities of Oregon.
The link between IPV and homelessness is clear. About 2 in 5 survivors of IPV become homeless during their lifetimes. And 90% of women experiencing homelessness have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point in their lives.
“Walking alongside survivors of intimate partner violence is particularly challenging,” says Victoria Waldrep, Director Homeless and Transitional Services for Catholic Charities of Oregon. “It can take a woman more than one attempt to leave this kind of relationship. On average it can take a woman seven tries to leave a violent or abusive relationship. We offer our support and build her up without tearing him down. We want to be her ally in making a decision that only she can make.”
Many migrants face IPV, a tragic trend that often is hidden, perhaps for cultural reasons, perhaps because migrants don’t always get sufficient attention in society.
“Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that transcends race, immigration status, gender and socioeconomic background,” says John Herrera, director of Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services. “It manifests in various forms — physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse — impacting individuals regardless of their circumstances. The assertion that ‘domestic violence is not an act of love’ underscores the misconception that love can justify harmful behaviors.”
Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services can hold out a lifeline for IPV survivors, many of whom might be eligible for legal residency under current protective laws. Catholic Charities attorneys and staff help survivors walk the complex legal path to safety and healing via what the government calls U visas.
The U visa is set aside for survivors who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. Congress created the U visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act in 2000.
“The U visas and this system and this program particularly let them know that it’s OK to go to the police to report your abuser, to report these criminals that are committing these crimes, and that allows them to stay here legally,” says Herrera.
One IPV survivor in Tillamook was able to gain legal residency and has now been a contributing citizen in the small Oregon town for almost a quarter century.
