Guarantee Shelters to Victims of Domestic Violence

Project Report | Oct 21, 2022
WE ARE STRUGGLING FOR SAFE SPACE FOR DV VICTIMS

By Catherine Sealys | President

Domestic violence (DV) is understood as: All acts of physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit or between former or current spouses or partners, whether the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim.

The reason why more women’s shelters are urgently needed is that women still experience violence from their husbands, partners, or strangers. According to international surveys every third to every fifth women after the age of 15 years old experiences violence. Women’s shelters are considered as essential services for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Violence against women is not random violence, it is a specific form of violence which affects women and girls disproportionally. The Istanbul Convention defines “gender-based violence as violence “directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately” (Article 3 of the Istanbul Convention).

As the leading advocate for eliminating domestic violence in SAINT LUCIA, we provide safe space for a limited number of persons, information, and training about domestic violence to survivors, victims, and the general community. Through multi-faceted programs we assist victims in transforming their lives after domestic violence, prevent future abuse by addressing its root cause through personal capacity building and support such as food, shelter, clothing, legal aid, counseling, and education support for children, we also advocate to educate the community about domestic violence and how we can all support victims.

All services are free and available to survivors regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. A large proportion of clients have suffered the traumas of violence, and some are homeless or dislocated in addition to domestic violence, and 85 percent are low-income. To meet clients’ needs, we apply for grant or ask for donations.

We offer temporary shelter and an intensive recovery program for women with children who are struggling to overcome the trauma of domestic violence. We promote healing and recovery for the mothers and children we serve and empower the women to become self-sufficient so they can live thriving lives, free from poverty and violence. Our services include individual, family, and group counseling; classes in domestic violence, wellness, and positive parenting; women work on education and job readiness; training in budgeting and money management to ensure financial stability; and an Aftercare Program with support groups and services that promote long-term recovery.

Support us to continue this critical program for victims of gender-based violence.

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Jun 23, 2022
Shelter Space Limited Pre and Post Pandemic

By Catherine Sealys | President

Over the past ten (10) years and months, we have taken swift and decisive action to mobilize what has been an unprecedented response to protect our most vulnerable clients. We have tried to stay one step ahead of the rise in Domestic Violence Incidents and the need for safe shelter for victims and their children during the pandemic and continue to adapt and evolve our response as the situation has continued to change rapidly. This tremendous accomplishment would not have been possible without the tireless commitment, partnership and strong communication across from our donors and volunteers. This has been no small task, however we continue to push forward, relentlessly, because we understand and recognize that the people we are committed to supporting depend on the services we provide. Reflecting on this experience, it is clear that we cannot go back to the way things used to be once this pandemic is over. We have an opportunity to do things differently and we need to take action collectively (CSO’s, NGO’s and State) and mobilize towards a shared goal. We can have a significant impact on the lives of people experiencing domestic violence and need safe shelter. Looking ahead, we will continue working collaboratively with like minded partners to ensure we are prepared for a potential second wave of COVID-19 or other such event which creates widespread displacements for victims and survivors. We will also leverage opportunities presented by the pandemic to shift the system towards prevention and minimization by exploring opportunities to provide permanent housing solutions that protect the health and well-being of people experiencing gender based violence. While COVID-19 has magnified the issue of domestic violence, as we shift toward recovery efforts, building on this foundation provides an opportunity to rebuild a better future for all. I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your ongoing partnership and commitment to providing services to the most vulnerable members of our community.

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Feb 24, 2022
The importance of Transitional Housing & Support Services for victims of domestic violence

By Catherine Sealys | President

Safety Planning

Domestic violence is one of the primary causes of homelessness for women and their children in the Saint Lucia our data reflects. According to the data collected from clients, between 22 and 57 percent of women and children are homeless due to domestic violence, with 38 percent of all victims experiencing homeless at some point in their lives due to domestic violence. Victims who leave their abusive partner multiple times due to domestic violence often experience multiple events of homelessness.

When a victim of domestic violence chooses to leave their abusive partner, safe and affordable housing is one of the primary barriers they will face for themselves and their children. In a short survey conducted in 2021, more than 1,000 adults and children fleeing domestic violence found only temporary refuge in the state emergency shelter, at friends, family, etc. For every five cases which we process four requests housing and shelter. Due to space constraints at least two out of every four victims who identified a need for housing services did not receive housing due to both space and resource constraints.

Though emergency shelters can be a source of immediate short-term safety, we would like to provide transitional housing victims a housing option and supportive services—including counseling, childcare, transportation, life skills, education and/or job training—for up to 24 months. It is a safe, affordable option that empowers survivors to begin rebuilding their lives after fleeing abuse. Transitional housing programs give survivors the time and services they need to achieve goals for long-term safety and stability. Without these programs, survivors may have no other option than to return to their abuser’s home or face homelessness.

We have recently received a lease at minimal rate for a plot of land that can be used to build a transitional housing our challenge now is to source funding for the construction, equipping and furnishing. Transitional Housing supports economic empowerment and survivor autonomy while using a voluntary services model. While the solutions to addressing domestic violence and its related consequences must encompass a broad range of interventions and options for domestic violence survivors, strategies must be trauma-informed and survivor-centered. If our goal is to truly empower survivors of domestic violence, they must be provided with the tools to establish economic self-sufficiency, short-term goal-setting, and long-term planning for their futures. Your help is important to us.

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