Citation

Pophaim JP. Child Abuse Res. South Afr. 2022; 23(1): 19-33.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children)

DOI

10.10520/ejc-carsa_v23_n1_a3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The incidence of child victimisation and exposure to violence has increased globally, in a variety of contexts (which includes, but is not limited to, the school, family, community and peer group contexts). As such, research focusing on adverse childhood experiences has gained some momentum over the past few years and is increasingly branching into various areas of the affected individuals' lives in order to determine the true nature and extent of these adverse experiences. While conducting research directed at exploring the experiences of victimisation of the homeless, childhood adversity was identified as a pertinent pathway into homelessness as well as a victimogenic risk factor for further victimisation. Prior research supports this notion as it has been reported that exposure to adverse childhood experiences is a prevalent risk factor among homeless individuals and is commonly associated with various negative consequences during a particular homelessness episode, including, but not limited to high-risk behaviours or outcomes as well as multiple experiences of victimisation. Within the context of the current study, the connection between childhood adversity, homelessness, high-risk behaviour and victimisation became apparent, as many of the participants who had experienced victimisation while being homeless (76.5%) also reported a history of adverse childhood experiences as well as the development of physiological and psychological (high-risk) outcomes. As such, this paper aims to explore this connection within the context of a sample of 17 homeless individuals currently residing in homeless shelters in Kimberley and Bloemfontein respectively. As the literature suggests, the connection between these factors can be rather intricate and as a result more conclusive research is an inherent requirement in order to better understand the inner workings of this potential connection. As one of the earliest predictors for homelessness, high risk behaviour(s) and victimisation, it becomes important to gain a comprehensive understanding of childhood adversity and the impact it has on ones' development/life course, so as to develop and implement proactive reduction measures aimed at reducing and ultimately preventing these negative outcomes.

Language: en

Keywords

childhood adversity; high-risk behaviour; homelessness; victimisation