To notice a homeless woman more than a homeless woman?

[girlfriend44]

Have noticed a homeless woman in town recently tly.
Sitting on the pavement with all her belongings.

I feel sorry for anyone who is homeless but somehow seeing a woman homeless makes me think more.

It's really not safe or nice for a woman to be on the street?
Does anyone feel the same, they just feel it deffo isn't right for a female to be on the streets.
Hope I've explained that well. I know it's not nice for anyone.
I noticed that the police were giving her some info the other day, but she was still there today.

Sorry should say a homeless man didn't preview post.

Sometimes the women are sent out to the street often with children because they will receive more sympathy than a man sitting alone with a sign

Does anyone feel the same, they just feel it deffo isn't right for a female to be on the streets.

Can’t say I really agree that it’s more palatable for a man to be homeless over a woman. A homeless man is also vulnerable.

When I see young homeless men it really gets me as I have sons that age and always imagine how awful it would be if that was one of them.
But it's obviously awful for whoever it is.

not in the same way and you know that

I felt like this recently after seeing a homeless older woman sitting in the street. Wondered how women manage periods and washing.

But then homeless people seem to pop up in spots with conveniently high footfall on working days and disappear at weekends, etc, so never really know what to make of it all.

Think it’s better to support charities like Shelter and the YMCA than give them cash perhaps.

Op didn't say she was begging though

I think most homeless people are incredibly vulnerable, the majority are addicts who are therefore unable to access a lot of the help offered to get people off the street. You don't see as many homeless women because vulnerable female addicts are exploited by being pressed into prostitution or end up shacked up with dealers or other lowlifes who 'take them under their wing'.

Me too!

I remember reading that women are more likely to face homelessness than men but that is all forms - not just rough sleeping. But on the flip, the reason it’s so unusual to see women on the streets is because of the need to manage their safety.

I also wonder if women are more likely to accept accommodation in shelters than men. I’d also hazard a guess that they are less likely to have antisocial behaviour which gets them removed.

So I do think it hits harder seeing a woman as it’s just more unusual. And I would be more concerned for her safety than a man if I’m honest.

None of the above though means I don’t have the greatest empathy for men rough sleeping too, whatever the circumstance that’s caused it.

Not not begging.

YANBU.
Homeless women make me so sad and worried for them.
I remember reading how shelters won’t take them or something like that (it was a long time ago I read it) because they can’t guarantee their safety (men there would rape them).
And that’s also why you don’t see so many homeless women, it’s not that there aren’t any, it’s because they have to hide so well and far that men won’t rape / abuse them.
It’s so hearbreaking.

The majority are certainly not addicts! How presumptuous and extremely rude of you

2/3, that's a majority. Also its not 'rude' to identify the underlying causes of homelessness, these are people who need help but don't get it because a lot of the routes off the street require them to be clean first. Addiction itself is a symptom of trauma and mental health issues not being dealt with by our healthcare system and social security provisions ending abruptly for those exiting the care system.

I agree, also because I realise just how vulnerable she is to attacks like rape and most certainly coercion.

No. I don't feel worse for women. I've heard of many homeless men who were beaten up. I know of 2 homeless men who were killed. I've seen a homeless man be urinated on. Living on the streets is dangerous gerous for anyone.

There a lot of women that post on here about literally nowhere else to go if they leave their partners. Some of these partners are abusive.

Some of them may indeed end up homeless for a time as they have no family or friends and maybe fail to get a shelter quickly. But arguably it's worse for them to stay.

Many homeless women may also hook up with any available man, just for shelter. Maybe homelessness would be worse. At least they'd be free.

You are correct. The majority of rough sleepers suffer with an addiction and / or serious mental health problems, or they have come into this country illegally. In all cases these mean it is difficult to access help, to understand what it expected of you (form filling for benefits, accommodation etc), there may be an inherent distrust or fear of authority because of unpleasant prior experience.

The majority of homeless aren't rough sleepers (they are sofa surfing, in temporary accommodation etc) but of the rough sleepers, most will fall into the above groups.

*wouldn't be worse

lots of women are homeless, and sleeping rough/ sofa surfing/ sleeping in cars etc - lots of professional women even.

One night we had a volunteer in our emergency shelter who was a colleague of one of the guests, and had no idea at all her colleague was homeless.

I am a teacher, and several of my colleagues are homeless, including a pregnant woman, who is sofa surfing

I saw a woman sleeping in a park the other day and did think how vulnerable she was, always feel sorry for anyone I see who is homeless and hope they find a way off the streets, but I do feel that women are more vulnerable for the obvious reasons.
A lot of homeless men have a criminally violent history, and a lot of women are victims of domestic violence and abuse. The other group I feel for especially is the very young ones, who have often been failed by their family and the care system, and the elderly ones who are more vulnerable to the elements. But when I saw this young woman sleeping in the park, it really struck me how vulnerable she was to male violence.
I don't think anyone should be rough sleeping, and would love to see this properly addressed, but I do always feel more for the ones who are more vulnerable for whatever reason

Yes, homeless women are much more vulnerable than homeless men. All too fequently victims of rape, sexual assault and coercion both from members of their own community and the general public. Much easier targets for theft and attack due to typically smaller, weaker bodies. Lower tolerance for alcohol and substance use. All the things that happen to homeless men happen to them too, plus the sex specific extra threats women have to deal with on top. I'm not sure it's about feeling worse for them, but it would be ridiculous to pretend their risk was the same as a man's in the same circumstances.

Honestly no idea what you’re talking about, it’s the exact same. I don’t have less sympathy for a homeless person because they happen to be male but clearly you do.

What country are you talking about here ? In the UK there should be emergency accommodation for anyone with children .

do you think men get sexually assaulted and raped to the same extent men do then? how strange