Guarantee Shelters to Victims of Domestic Violence

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.