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Check out this new Research Snapshot!

Family violence among 2SLGBTQ+ youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic

Here is a sneak peek:

What you need to know?
The leading cause of homelessness among two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (2SLGBTQ+) youth is identity-based family violence resulting from a young person coming out as 2SLGBTQ+. 2SLGBTQ+ youth make up 20 to 40 per cent of the homeless youth population across North America. Based on the research, many of the risks associated with family violence and abuse are higher for young people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. There is limited research examining family violence among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, researchers in this study engaged a group of 2SLGBTQ+ youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and surrounding areas in Ontario, Canada, to examine their experiences of family violence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is this research about?

Previous studies have reported that family violence and rejection are associated with serious physical and mental health outcomes among 2SLGBTQ+ youth. This includes post-traumatic stress disorder, increased risk of suicide, anxiety, depression and substance use. During the COVID-19 pandemic, family violence significantly increased. Multiple factors are associated with increased family violence during pandemics, including:

  • financial difficulties and stress
  • social distancing
  • quarantine and isolation
  • increased exposure to abusive relationships
  • closure of crucial community resources
  • decreased access to support.

Because of the pandemic, employment and housing situations changed for many youth. They were forced to return to their parents’ homes and quarantine with unsupportive and/or abusive family members. This resulted in high rates of reported cases of family violence.

This is the first study to investigate family violence among 2SLGBTQ+ youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more…

The research snapshot can be found in English here and French here

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