NCJ Number
57938
Date Published
1978
Length
25 pages
Annotation
BETWEEN 1975 AND 1977 THE WOMEN'S CENTER AND SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH GAVE SHELTER TO 528 WOMEN AND 311 CHILDREN, OF WHOM MORE THAN HALF WERE VICTIMS OF ABUSE. THE SHELTER'S GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN.
Abstract
THE WOMEN'S CENTER STARTED IN A SUBURBAN LOCATION, PRIMARILY AS A PLACE WHERE WOMEN COULD GET AWAY FROM HOME AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TALK ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER WOMEN. BEFORE LONG THE NEED FOR A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN BECAME OBVIOUS, SO THE CENTER MOVED TO A DOWNTOWN LOCATION WHICH HAD BEDROOM FACILITIES. WOMEN STAY FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS WHILE THEY WORK OUT THEIR PROBLEMS AND THEN ARE HELPED TO MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING IF THEY SO DESIRE. THE EMPHASIS IS ON SELF-HELP WITH BOTH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING A LISTENING EAR. THE SHELTER ALSO CAN MAKE CONTACT WITH APPROPRIATE SOCIAL AGENCIES. THE SHELTER OPERATES ON THE BELIEF THAT A BATTERED WOMAN IS NOT DEFICIENT, IRRATIONAL, OR HELPLESS, THAT SHE DOES NOT ENJOY PAIN AND SUFFERING, AND THAT SHE DOES NOT CAUSE THE BATTERING ALTHOUGH SHE MAY TRIGGER IT. THE BATTERED WOMAN USUALLY STAYS IN AN ABUSIVE SITUATION BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION OR RESOURCES SHE NEEDS TO ESCAPE. BECAUSE TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS OFTEN BLAME HER FOR THE 'FAILURE' OF HER MARRIAGE, SHE MUST HAVE A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM TO COPE. THE WOMAN ALSO HAS A RIGHT TO RETURN TO HER HUSBAND, FIND OUT SHE HAS MADE A MISTAKE, AND RETURN TO THE SHELTER WITHOUT BEING CRITICIZED. THE RULES OF THE SHELTER ARE GIVEN ALONG WITH GUIDELINES FOR WOMEN LIVING THERE AND VOLUNTEERING THERE. INSTITUTIONAL PREREQUISITES AND POLICIES FOR A SHELTER ALSO ARE LISTED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57922-57937 AND NCJ 57939-57941. (GLR)