Can Cold homes impact Survivors of Trauma?
The #WarmHomesLeics Coalition is leading the way of a vital campaign to address fuel poverty and climate change, emphasizing the need for warm, safe, and energy-efficient homes (Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire, 2023). The need for warm and safe homes is an issue that Quetzal fully supports as, cold homes negatively impact mental health (Clair & Bake, 2022) and therefore, are a trigger to survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Not having a warm home intensifies the challenges survivors face, triggering trauma-related distress, with the insecurity and vulnerability that survivors often experience becoming more heightened when they lack a safe and warm living environment. Studies, such as Clair and Blake’s (2022) study into cold homes and mental health harm in the UK, have shown that the lack of warm housing negatively impacts mental health. With those who have previously faced mental health issues seeing their risk of severe mental distress tripling when living in a cold home (Clair & Blake, 2022). In the case of childhood sexual abuse survivors, heightened mental distress can be presented as increased anxiety, disassociation, and traumatic flashbacks (Spataro, et al., 2004). The lack of a warm home can therefore, force survivors into unstable and potentially harmful environments, which makes recognising the importance of a warm home essential and a cause for Quetzal to advocate for.
The #WarmHomesLeics Coalition campaign, led by Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire (2023), urges local MPs to set-up a nationwide emergency home insulation program targeting areas with high fuel poverty, and reducing people’s bills and emissions. They are advocating for financial aid for those struggling to maintain a warm home and aim to overhaul the UK’s costly energy system, that depends on gas and contributes to global weather disasters, by supporting the use of green energy. The importance of this campaign for survivors of childhood sexual abuse is immense, as by taking action on insulation, financial aid and clean energy, the women we support, can experience not only an improvement in their living conditions but also a significant improvement to their mental well-being (Liddell & Guiney, 2015).
A warm, energy-efficient home becomes a sanctuary for survivors, offering a sense of security and stability crucial for their healing journey. The reduction in energy bills through insulation and the financial aid provided can alleviate the economic strain on survivors, empowering them to rebuild their lives. Moreover, transitioning to green energy not only addresses climate change concerns but also ensures a safer and healthier environment for survivors, free from the negative impacts associated with a gas-dependent energy system (Liddell & Guiney, 2015).
Recognizing the interconnectedness of safe, warm homes and mental health is crucial, and due to the effect cold homes has on survivors of childhood sexual abuse, it is a cause that Quetzal passionately advocates for.
To support this cause, please sign the petition to ask all of our MPs to work towards warm homes for everyone: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/ask-leics-mps-for-warm-homes-action
References
- Clair, A. & Bake, E., 2022. Cold Homes and Mental Health Harm: Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Social Science & Medicine, 314(115461), pp. 1-11.
- Climate Action Leicester and Leicestershire, 2023. WarmHomesLeics. [Online]
Available at: https://www.climateactionleicesterandleicestershire.org.uk/index.php/warm-homes/
[Accessed 30th October 2023]. - Liddell, C. & Guiney, C., 2015. Living in a Cold and Damp Home: Frameworks for Understanding Impacts on Mental Well-Being. Public Health, 129(3), pp. 191-199.
- Spataro, J. et al., 2004. Impact of Child Sexual Abuse on Mental health: Prospective Study in Males and Females. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 184(5), pp. 416-421.
– Written by Amelia Phillips, Campaigns Volunteer at Quetzal
