NCJ Number
46172
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 576-584
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF THE BATTERED WOMEN MOVEMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN IS TRACED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORKINGS OF REFUGE HOUSES.
Abstract
WOMEN'S ADVICE CENTERS SUCH AS THE ONE AT CHISWICK WERE STARTED IN 1966, BUT WERE NOT SAFE PLACES FOR WOMEN TO GO TO ESCAPE ABUSE FROM THEIR HUSBANDS. THEY NEEDED OVERNIGHT SHELTER AS WELL AS COUNSELORS TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR PROBLEMS. BY 1971, WOMEN ALL OVER BRITAIN WERE BECOMING AWARE OF THE NEED FOR SOME TYPE OF CRISIS SHELTERS. THE PUBLICITY RECEIVED BY THE CHISWICK WOMEN'S AID GROUP CREATED A NATIONWIDE FUROR. DUE TO THE LACK OF SPACE AT CHISWICK, WOMEN TRIED TO START MORE CENTERS, BUT FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY GETTING LAND OR RENTAL PROPERTY. IN 1974, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED, AND A NATIONAL COORDINATOR WAS NAMED. POLITICAL AWARENESS OF THESE GROUPS INCREASED ALONG WITH THEIR POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND PARTICIPATION. A SELECT COMMITTEE ON VIOLENCE IN MARRIAGE WAS SET UP IN 1974, AND WOMEN'S GROUPS MET IN 1975 TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL BASE. THESE GROUPS FORMED THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S AID FEDERATION (NWAF) TO CARE FOR BATTERED WOMEN. THE NWAF HAS SHOWN THE GOVERNMENT THE NEED FOR LEGISLATION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS AREA. ALTHOUGH THESE REFUGES PROVIDE A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR LONG-TERM HOUSING. (BAC)