Skid Row from a Woman’s Perspective

By Suzette Shaw (Skid Row Resident, Poet, Feminist Activist)

LOS ANGELES — Walking “The Row” I see this brotha creep up behind this homeless sistha, who is bent over in scanty clothing, consequently revealing herself.  He quickly snaps a photo of her exposed private backside, slinks away with a boyish grin on his face.  It’s creepy . . . While this is happening the police roll by, yet say nothing.  As far as I’m concerned . . . he violated her!  Where is the “protect and serve”?!  If this is not a crime, it should be.
Yet, this is the pervasive sexism which goes on in our country, including here in Skid Row.  DWAC (Downtown Women’s Action Coalition) released a report depicting the state of domestic violence done to women here in Skid Row called, “Violence Against Women” (page 16 of “2013 Downtown Women’s Needs Assessment”).  This report was also picked up by The Huffington Post entitled: “These Often-Invisible Women Experience Sexual Assault at an Alarming Rate” (written 8/11/14 by Robbie Couch).  DWAC’s survey of women also highlighted the disproportionate number who are racial minorities, predominantly African-American.
Further, the report noted an alarming number of older women who dwell in this community.  When raising the issue of “Exploitation of Women in Skid Row,” according to the DWAC Assessment, “over the course of their lives, a distressing 31.5% of women have felt the need to perform a sexual favor in exchange for food, protection, cash and even housing.”  So, this is the reality of many women living here in Skid Row.
The assessment goes on to say: “Exploitation of homeless women and extremely low-income women does exist.”   Americans detest this plight in other countries yet turn heads to what surrounds us in our homeland  . . . “For those who became homeless after fleeing from violence of sexual assault, re-victimization may compound the trauma from which they fled.”  “It is crucial that service providers understand patterns of abuse and be aware of power dynamics at play, as well as advocate to ensure those working with vulnerable populations be held accountable.”  Additionally, holding males who perpetuate this “sexist” behavior is a must.
According to the World Health Organization, “Victims of sexual assault are six times more likely to suffer PTSD, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs.”  As Whoopi Goldberg’s character says in the movie The Color Purple, “I may be poor, I may be Black. And I may even be ugly.  But I’m here. I’m here.” Now, it’s time to do right and do better by the women of this community.