Informative Paper Domestic Violence Shelters
Informative Paper "Domestic VIOLENCE Sheltrs”
Samantha Lee
Strayer University
ENG 115
Lauren Philip
October 25, 2014 Domestic violence shelters play an important role for victims and their families. Shelters are essential to those who feel they have no other safe place to go. In many cases, victims of domestic violence find it difficult to locate available, safe places where they can turn.
The need for safe, affordable housing for victims of domestic violence is well documented. Without access to housing options, women fleeing from abusive relationships are often forced to live in substandard conditions or return to their batterers (Fontes,2008, para. 4). While many battered women need only short-term, emergency shelter, others face numerous barriers to achieving independence free from the abuse and require long-term housing assistance and a variety of support services.
Recognizing the housing needs of battered women, many domestic violence service providers now offer longer-term, transitional housing to the women and children they serve (Fontes 2008, para. 9). While no official count exists, every state has at least one transitional housing program specifically for victims of domestic violence (Fontes, 2008, para. 11). In addition, designated federal funding for such programs has emerged, and new programs are being established regularly.
To build a domestic abuse center, one should consider finding a secure location, obtaining licensure, obtain funding and resources and hire the appropriate staff. Considerations for program entry are equally critical to the successful implementation of a domestic abuse center, and are often influenced by funding sources (Berry, 2000 para. 8). For example, programs funded at least in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must require that participants are homeless prior to entry (Fontes, 2008, para. 13). To begin the process, one must research the demographic location in which the abuse
Samantha Lee
Strayer University
ENG 115
Lauren Philip
October 25, 2014 Domestic violence shelters play an important role for victims and their families. Shelters are essential to those who feel they have no other safe place to go. In many cases, victims of domestic violence find it difficult to locate available, safe places where they can turn.
The need for safe, affordable housing for victims of domestic violence is well documented. Without access to housing options, women fleeing from abusive relationships are often forced to live in substandard conditions or return to their batterers (Fontes,2008, para. 4). While many battered women need only short-term, emergency shelter, others face numerous barriers to achieving independence free from the abuse and require long-term housing assistance and a variety of support services.
Recognizing the housing needs of battered women, many domestic violence service providers now offer longer-term, transitional housing to the women and children they serve (Fontes 2008, para. 9). While no official count exists, every state has at least one transitional housing program specifically for victims of domestic violence (Fontes, 2008, para. 11). In addition, designated federal funding for such programs has emerged, and new programs are being established regularly.
To build a domestic abuse center, one should consider finding a secure location, obtaining licensure, obtain funding and resources and hire the appropriate staff. Considerations for program entry are equally critical to the successful implementation of a domestic abuse center, and are often influenced by funding sources (Berry, 2000 para. 8). For example, programs funded at least in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must require that participants are homeless prior to entry (Fontes, 2008, para. 13). To begin the process, one must research the demographic location in which the abuse