Although homelessness is a serious social problem in the United States, there is little direct information about the actual experiences of violence, past and current, among homeless people. This volume, based on the Florida Four-City Study, brings together interview material from 737 women, including structured quantitative interviews as well as in-depth qualitative interviews. The authors investigate how many homeless women have experienced violence in their lives, either as children or as adults, and then examine factors associated with experiences of violence, the consequences of violence, and types of interactions of homeless people with the justice system. The volume concludes with pragmatic and compassionate policy recommendations.

Author Biography

JANA L. JASINSKI is associate professor of sociology, University of Central Florida; JENNIFER K. WESELY is associate professor of criminal justice, University of North Florida; JAMES D. WRIGHT is Provost Distinguished Research Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida; and ELIZABETH E. MUSTAINE is associate professor of sociology, University of Central Florida.