NCJ Number
60380
Date Published
1978
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THE BOOKLET PROVIES INFORMATION ON OPERATING A SHELTER AND PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR BATTERED WIVES BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN'S AID GROUPS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S AID FEDERATION (NWAF) CONSISTS OF 98 LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS, MOST OF WHICH OPERATE SHELTER FACILITIES. WOMEN USUALLY ARRIVE AT A REFUGE AFTER A CRISIS AT HOME, BRINGING WITH THEM THEIR CHILDREN AND FEW POSSESSIONS. THE REFUGE IS A LAST RESORT, BUT IS ONE OF FEW SAFE ALTERNATIVES FOR A WOMEN WHO DECIDES TO LEAVE AN ABUSIVE SITUATION. THE NWAF REFUGES ARE ORGANIZED ON A COOPERATIVE BASIS WITH THE DAILY RUNNING OF THE HOUSE BEING LEFT TO THE WOMEN. THERE IS NO DIRECTOR, BUT MEMBERS OF THE WOMEN'S AID ASSOCIATION OFFER ADVICE AND SUPPORT. IN THE SHELTER THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY FOR DISCOVERING INDIVIDUAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IS TALKING. LIVING IN A COMMUNAL SHELTER PROVIDES GROUP SUPPORT, BUT THERE ARE ALSO DIFFICULTIES IN SHARING ACCOMMODATIONS WITH OTHER WOMEN AND CHILDREN. PROBLEMS WHICH SHELTERS FACE INCLUDE ACQUIRING AND MAINTAINING THEIR PROPERTY AND PROVIDING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. REFUGES HAVE BEEN STARTED IN VARIOUS WAYS AS A RESULT OF INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS IN A COMMUNITY OR AS OFFSHOOTS OF FEMINIST GROUPS. ONLY A FEW INVOLVE MEN, AN ISSUE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE DEBATE. IN SETTING UP A SHELTER A GROUP MUST ASSESS ITS PUBLICITY NEEDS, RAISE FUNDS, DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO APPLY FOR CHARITABLE STATUS, AND LOCATE A SUITABLE HOUSE. THE GROUP MUST DEAL WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, POLICE, SCHOOLS, MEDICAL PERSONNEL, AND LAWYERS. LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE OFTEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF A WARDEN OR HOUSEKEEPER IN THE REFUGE, BUT THIS IS CONSIDERED CONTRARY TO THE POLICY OF SELF-HELP, BUREAUCRATIC, AND AN UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. WOMEN ARE GAINING GREATER LEGAL PROTECTION FROM VIOLENT MEN, BUT CHANGE IS SLOW AND WOMEN MUST ACTIVELY SEEK THEIR OWN SOLUTIONS. THE PAMPHLET CONCLUDES WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECTIVES, ORGANIZATION, AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE NWAF; A LIST OF ITS MEMBERS; AND PORTRAYAL OF FOUR SHELTERS' EXPERIENCES. (MJM)