BMSG and Blue Shield of California Fdn.: Making the link between domestic violence and homelessness

BMSG and Blue Shield of California Fdn.: Making the link between domestic violence and homelessness

Domestic violence and homelessness are deeply connected, but current news narratives and framing often portray these issues as separate, leading policymakers and the public to ignore this important link.

In a 2021 project with the Housing Opportunities Mean Everything (HOME ) Cohort, BMSG learned that effective communication about the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness must broaden the perception of who experiences homelessness without furthering harmful rhetoric about who does and doesn’t “deserve” support.

In collaboration with Blue Shield of California Foundation, BMSG hopes to build upon our HOME Cohort findings to increase public and political support, train potential messengers on narrative priorities, assist stakeholders in strengthening collaboration between DV and homeless service providers across California, and identify opportunities for BSCF and other funders to invest systemically and strategically in sustained narrative change around these issues.

Related resources

Finding that safe space: News about domestic violence and homelessness in California — and finding opportunities to build narrative power

Blog: 5 narrative change strategies for highlighting the connection between housing insecurity and domestic violence

Housing, equity, and health in U.S. news, 2020-2021: Findings and recommendations

Blog: Six media advocacy lessons from a campaign for housing justice and health equity

Communicating for change: News about housing, equity, and health

Futures Without Violence: Expanding the ability of the child welfare system to serve families experiencing domestic violence

Issue 16: Moving from head to heart: Using media advocacy to talk about affordable housing 

Issue 13: Distracted by drama: How California newspapers portray intimate partner violence