Shelters as an intervention strategy for abused women

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of shelters as an intervention strategy for abused women employing a large, geographically, and culturally diverse sample of Canadian women. The relationships among women's sociodemographic characteristics, relationship factors, previous help-seeking behaviour, and their return to abusive situations were examined. Further, the associations among the use of shelter and community services and resources, women's levels of satisfaction with these services, as well as their identification of service gaps on women's returning to abusive situations were explored. Women who were financially dependent and emotionally committed to relationships with their partners were more likely to return to unchanged abusive situations or to their partners at shelter departure. Women who used shelter and community services related to establishing independent living arrangements and economic independence from their partners (such as housing, second-stage housing, income support, legal assistance, provision of household goods) were less likely to return to unchanged situations or to their partners at shelter departure. Length of stay at shelters was also significantly associated with shelter outcome. Research and policy implications of these findings are discussed.