Housing remains ‘biggest issue’ for women fleeing domestic violence, say front-line groups

Having access to housing and the finances to meet basic needs is “necessary” for women to successfully leave an abusive situation, according to Mary Aspinall, an assistant professor in the department of criminology and criminal justice at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick.

Aspinall said when children are involved, it’s even more difficult. And some women are under the financial control of their partner.

“It can become this choice of, ‘Do I stay in this relationship with a roof over my head or do I risk being homeless?'”