In the United States, a rape occurs every five minutes; every nine seconds a woman is physically abused; and nearly 500,000 women are homeless. Although efforts have been made to curb these numbers, they remain extraordinarily high nationwide, both within major urban centers and in rural towns.
By age 18, nearly one out of every four women is the victim of sexual assault; 14 percent of the homeless population in the United States are single women, while families are an additional 41 percent. And 7.9 percent of all women are physically abused by their partners, while verbal and emotional abuse affects an additional 37 percent, according to research provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
In D.C., a number of places cater specifically to women in need, and other places, such as the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, offer services for women and men.
Sexual abuse, homelessness and physical abuse may seem to be relatively unrelated, but surveys have shown that nearly 50 percent of all women who have been designated homeless are the victims of battery or physical abuse. Rachel's Women's Shelter in northwest Washington provides outreach programs designed to help both homeless men and women in D.C., but it also provides daytime programs specifically designed for women.
"Most of the people who come here have experienced sexual assault, abuse and/or domestic violence at some point in their lives," said Alexandra George, the shelter's program director.
Rachel's Women's Shelter provides counseling to help its residents learn to cope with what they've gone through.
"Our goal is to develop a relationship with each individual," George stressed. "We want them to feel like people and not numbers."
Rachel's Women's Shelter, at 1222 11th St. N.W., has 22 housing units available to help create a sense of community. Each woman receives her own room and shares common spaces such as the living and dining rooms.
"We try to provide as much of a home-like environment as possible," George said. "Everyone knows everyone else's name."
By age 18, nearly one out of every four women is the victim of sexual assault; 14 percent of the homeless population in the United States are single women, while families are an additional 41 percent. And 7.9 percent of all women are physically abused by their partners, while verbal and emotional abuse affects an additional 37 percent, according to research provided by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
In D.C., a number of places cater specifically to women in need, and other places, such as the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, offer services for women and men.
Sexual abuse, homelessness and physical abuse may seem to be relatively unrelated, but surveys have shown that nearly 50 percent of all women who have been designated homeless are the victims of battery or physical abuse. Rachel's Women's Shelter in northwest Washington provides outreach programs designed to help both homeless men and women in D.C., but it also provides daytime programs specifically designed for women.
"Most of the people who come here have experienced sexual assault, abuse and/or domestic violence at some point in their lives," said Alexandra George, the shelter's program director.
Rachel's Women's Shelter provides counseling to help its residents learn to cope with what they've gone through.
"Our goal is to develop a relationship with each individual," George stressed. "We want them to feel like people and not numbers."
Rachel's Women's Shelter, at 1222 11th St. N.W., has 22 housing units available to help create a sense of community. Each woman receives her own room and shares common spaces such as the living and dining rooms.
"We try to provide as much of a home-like environment as possible," George said. "Everyone knows everyone else's name."
