NCJ Number
54074
Date Published
1978
Length
52 pages
Annotation
THIS SURVEY OF TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN FINDS CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE BUT THAT MORE SHELTERS ARE NEEDED. CHANGES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL POLICY ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
THIS STUDY, SPONSORED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON VIOLENCE IN MARRIAGE, GATHERED DATA FOR THE 32 BOROUGHS OF GREATER LONDON, ENGLAND, FROM WOMEN'S AID GROUPS, BOROUGH AUTHORITIES, AND SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES. SINCE 1970, THE NUMBER OF SHELTERS HAS INCREASED FROM VIRTUALLY NONE TO 350 PLACES CITYWIDE; HOWEVER, THIS NUMBER NEEDS TO BE INCREASED TO A MINIMUM OF 850 PLACES. THIS FIGURE IS BASED ON A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF REHOUSING. SHELTER STAY IS RECOMMENDED TO BE A MAXIMUM OF 3 MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF REHOUSING IS NOT FOUND RAPIDLY, THE NUMBER OF NEEDED SHELTER PLACES MAY BE AS HIGH AS 1,050 TO 1,200. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT WOMEN'S AID GROUPS SHOULD OPERATE THE SHELTERS AND THAT THE PHYSICAL SHELTER PROGRAM SHOULD BE COMBINED WITH COUNSELING, ACCESS TO CHILDREN'S DAY CARE FACILITIES, AND SOCIAL WORK SUPPORT. IT IS ALSO FOUND THAT WOMEN IN GREATEST NEED OF THESE SERVICES ARE THOSE FROM PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BOROUGHS UNITE TO MAKE REFUGE PLACES AVAILABLE TO ANY WOMEN REGARDLESS OF HER PLACE OF CURRENT RESIDENCE AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO HER SUBSEQENT HOUSING ASSISTANCE. (AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT A WOMAN WAS ELIGIBLE FOR SHELTER ONLY IN HER BOROUGH OF RESIDENCE.) CHANGES IN POLICY REGARDING CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN, RENT PAYMENTS, AND PLAY FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THE SHELTER PROGRAM IS URGED. CHARTS, GRAPHS, AND STATISTICS DETAIL THE STUDY DATA. (GLR)