New study shows 30% of homeless women first experienced homelessness as a child

A new study by the Simon Communities in Ireland shows that 30% of women who are homeless, first experienced homelessness as children.

The study also found that 92% of women who are homeless have experienced high levels of violence and abuse.

The homelessness charity is holding a conference in Galway focusing on women in homelessness.

The group is calling for homelessness services to be adapted and improved to better meet the needs of women.

National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities in Ireland, Niamh Randall has said this study indicates that the effects of a difficult childhood can last well into adult life.

“And also what we found was that many of the women experienced homelessness or housing instability or poverty as children," Ms Randall said.

"So the impact of a difficult childhood on people was really really damaging in the longer term and I suppose that is really worrying when we look at the high numbers of children, over 1500 at the moment stuck in emergency accommodation.”