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Ethical Practices in Domestic

Violence SheltersA look at the Center for Women and Children

in Crisis

IntroductionWhat is Domestic Violence?

• Domestic or family violence

• Intentional use of violence against a family member

• To assert domination, control the victim’s actions, or punish the victim for some actions.

• Family violence generally occurs as a pattern of behavior

Abuse happens in many forms

All centered around power and control

• Early 1960’s• abuse is a permanent consequence• Listen, obey, endure in silence• ”That’s what marriage is”• Response was harsh judgement

• Late 1960’s • Battered Women’s Movement• Spoke out• Refuges in homes• Small support groups

• By 1981 there were over 500 women’s shelters in the US

• In 1993 marital rape was made illegal in all 50 US states.

Why are domestic violence shelter’s important?• Domestic Violence is a public issue

• One in four women, one is six men

• National health concern: negative impacts on individuals and communities

Domestic Violence is a Cycle that is very hard to

break

• This cycle makes it very difficult to leave

• When a woman decides to leave, it is the most dangerous time

• They need help and resources to get out

• Shelter’s and hotlines provide those resources,and are the key to breaking the cycle for many women

• When a man or woman goes to a shelter, they are extremely fragile and vulnerable

• The treatment and resources provided at the shelter can influence their recovery and future

• Keeping these shelter’s fair and ethical will ensure a more effective, and safer recovery for domestic violence survivors.

Practices in Shelters The CWCIC

• Women call a hotline number

• You can only enter the shelter if you are a current Domestic Violence victim without a current domestic violence charge, and aren’t doing drug

• The shelter is small, they offer what resources they can

• If they’re in danger, they’re told to call 911

• First call, first serve (Offer other services)

• Use personal judgement on victims

Room at the Shelter

• 30 day program

• Adjusted to needs

• Can be asked to leave when putting other clients at risk

• Includes abusive behavior, drugs, and alcohol

• DCFS and the police are involved on occasion

Shelter Stay

• Mostly come through donations• Everyone has an equal chance• “Start-up Kit” when leaving• Given as much as they can

Dividing Resources

Other Areas

• Making friends• Disobedience from a serious client• Offering advice

Guidelines:Room• Some people will lie to have a place to stay• Use your best judgement• The shelter uses an “honor system”• Offer problem solving to non DV victims

Keeping things EthicalEvery situation is different; looking

at things case by case

Stay• Protect the majority• Get a second opinion

Resources• Give what you can at that moment• Do what you can• Don’t think about others

Friends• Be self-aware• Ask others about your behavior• Remember that you are staff, not their best

friend

Advice• Listen and love• Help problem solve• Don’t tell them what to do• Avoid controversial subjects

• Set boundaries

• Have a good staff, on the same page

• Love what you do

Resolutions