The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), through the U.S. Department of Justice, provides resources, information, and policy changes to support non-profits such as Family Promise to assist those victimized by crime. As agents in the homeless sector, we are familiar with the different layers that may cause someone to end up houseless. Factors of homelessness may include an individual's home and childhood environment, work and school experiences, lifestyle, and access to resources. Crime, especially violent crime, can be traumatic and have lasting harmful effects that (may) lead to poverty and housing insecurity. The American Psychological Association states that those who experience violence and trauma in childhood are at an increased risk of experiencing houselessness and poverty as adults.
We support victims of crime through connection to housing and supportive services. We were awarded funding from the OVC to expand services to victims of crimes, including but not limited to, human trafficking, domestic violence, family violence, terroristic threat, child abuse/neglect, and sexual assault. The PSA was produced to raise awareness about the overlap between crime victimization and housing instability and the supportive services we offer. If you or someone you know is a family with children experiencing housing instability and have also been a victim of crime, please contact us at (808) 548-7478 ext. 1 and visit Familypromisehawaii.org/support-for-victims-of-crime for more information.