The link between childhood and adult abuse among long-term welfare recipients

Abstract

This article examines the links between childhood and adult abuse among long-term welfare recipients. In-depth interviews were conducted with 280 women who had been on public financial assistance for at least 3 years. High rates of childhood and adult abuse were reported among these long-term welfare recipients. Two-thirds (67%) indicated they were physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abused during childhood and 81% lived in a physically violent relationship as an adult. Most of the women (59%) were abused both as a child and an adult, and almost all of the women (90%) were abused as either a child or adult. There was a strong relationship between childhood and adult abuse among these long-term welfare recipients. There was also a connection between past abuse and a Child Protective Services investigation as a parent. Overall, more attention needs to be paid to family violence among long-term welfare recipients.