ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE - THE ROLE OF A REFUGE

• NCJ Number: 54227
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 3 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 141-148
• Author(s): K S MENZIES
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Visage Press, Inc
• Sale Source: University of Guelph
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE ROLE PLAYED BY A REFUGE FOR WOMEN LOCATED IN A CITY IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA, IS EXAMINED ON THE BASIS OF INTERVIEWS WITH HALF OF THE WOMEN WHO CAME TO THE REFUGE BETWEEN JANUARY 1976 AND APRIL 1977.

Abstract

THE REFUGE CAN HOUSE UP TO FOUR OR FIVE WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN. IN EXCHANGE FOR FOOD AND SHELTER, THE WOMEN ARE ASKED TO TURN OVER 70 PERCENT OF THEIR WELFARE PAYMENTS (OR THE EQUIVALENT IN WORK) TO THE SHELTER. THEY MAY STAY UP TO 6 WEEKS. INTERVIEWS WITH 40 FORMER RESIDENTS REVEALED THAT 35 HAD COME TO THE REFUGE TO ESCAPE SOME FORM OF ABUSE ON THE PART OF THEIR HUSBANDS. ALL OF THE WOMEN HAD LIVED IN THEIR ABUSIVE SITUATIONS FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS, MOST MUCH LONGER. MOST OF THE ABUSED WOMEN SAID THEY FELT HELPLESS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR SITUATIONS AND CAME TO THE REFUGE WHEN THEY SIMPLY FELT THEY NO LONGER COULD 'TAKE IT.' THIS FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS APPARENTLY DERIVES NOT ONLY FROM THE WOMEN'S REACTIONS BUT FROM SOME VERY REAL PROBLEMS AND DEPENDENCIES AS WELL. AFTER LEAVING THE REFUGE, 24 OF THE WOMEN WENT TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN OR WITH FRIENDS AND 11 RETURNED TO THEIR HUSBANDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THREE WHO HAD RETURNED TO THEIR HUSBANDS LEFT AGAIN AND THREE WHO HAD GONE TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN RETURNED TO THEIR HUSBANDS. THE MAJORITY OF THE WOMEN SAID THAT COMING TO THE REFUGE WAS A GOOD MOVE, THAT THEY FELT STRONGER HAVING MADE THE MOVE, THAT THEY HAD MORE FRIENDS, THAT THEIR CHILDREN WERE BETTER OFF, AND THAT THEY HAD GAINED SOME NEW IDEAS ABOUT LIFE. IT APPEARS THAT THE REFUGE IS ABLE TO HELP ABUSED WOMEN BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THEMSELVES AS ADULTS AND TO SEE THAT THEY CAN INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION OF THEIR LIVES. TALKING WITH OTHERS WHO SHARE THEIR PROBLEMS HELPS TO REDUCE THE WOMEN'S FEELINGS OF ISOLATION. CONTACTS WITH STAFF MEMBERS AND EX-RESIDENTS WORKING AS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO WAYS OF COPING. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)