Safe Streets for Whom? Homeless Youth, Social Exclusion, and Criminal Victimization

This article explores the victimization that street youth experience, living in Toronto, Canada. Street youth are much more likely than domiciled youth to be victims of various types of crimes. Specifically, young homeless women face increased vulnerability to specific forms of violent crime, such as sexual assault. Complex and numerous circumstances contribe to this high level of criminal victimization among street youth. While background variables (a history of violence), lifestyle, and routine activities theories have been used to explain criminal victimization, it is argued here that the conditions that put street youth at risk, are related to social exclusion expereinces such as restricted access to housing, employment, and public spaces.