The Women´s The Women´s Shelter Shelter

Movement in Movement in SwedenSwedenKina SjöströmKina Sjöström

Sollentuna Women´s ShelterSollentuna Women´s Shelterkina@sollentunakvinnojour.sekina@sollentunakvinnojour.sewww.sollentunakvinnojour.sewww.sollentunakvinnojour.se

AgendaAgenda

Sollentuna Women´s ShelterSollentuna Women´s Shelter The women´s shelter movement in The women´s shelter movement in

SwedenSweden A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid”A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid” Strengths and weaknesses of the Strengths and weaknesses of the

Swedish women´s sheltersSwedish women´s shelters Current debates in SwedenCurrent debates in Sweden

Sollentuna Women´s Sollentuna Women´s ShelterShelter

Organisation:Organisation:

- NGO, 30-40 volunteers, municipal - NGO, 30-40 volunteers, municipal fundsfunds

What we do:What we do:

- emergency helpline, shelter, - emergency helpline, shelter, counseling, educationcounseling, education

What I do:What I do:

- counseling women, administration, - counseling women, administration, organizing the voluntary workorganizing the voluntary work

The Women´s Shelter The Women´s Shelter Movement in SwedenMovement in Sweden

The start:The start:

- part of the women´s movement - part of the women´s movement

- 30 years ago, 160 shelters today- 30 years ago, 160 shelters today

- women helping women- women helping women

- voluntary work, non governmental- voluntary work, non governmental

ROKS – the national organisationROKS – the national organisation

independenceindependence(politically (politically

and religiously)and religiously)

SupportSupportbased upon the based upon the

wants and needs of wants and needs of the womanthe woman

womenwomen

helping womenhelping womenvoluntary basis,voluntary basis,1-2 employees1-2 employees

exclusivelyexclusivelyfemale membersfemale members

optional anonymityoptional anonymity

municipal fundingmunicipal funding

AATypical SwedishTypical Swedish

Women'sWomen'sShelterShelter

The Women´s shelter The Women´s shelter movement in Swedenmovement in Sweden

ROKS – the national organisation for ROKS – the national organisation for women´s shelters in Swedenwomen´s shelters in Sweden

Education for membersEducation for members Influence the public opinion and Influence the public opinion and

debatedebate Referral organisation for legislative Referral organisation for legislative

bills that affect womenbills that affect women

A new legislation – A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid””kvinnofrid”

From an individual to a structural From an individual to a structural problemproblem

From ”domestic violence” to ”male From ”domestic violence” to ”male violence against women”violence against women”

From ”assault” to From ”assault” to ”Kvinnofridskränkning” (gross ”Kvinnofridskränkning” (gross violation of a woman’s integrity)violation of a woman’s integrity)

Strengths and weaknesses Strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish women´s of the Swedish women´s

shelterssheltersStrengths:Strengths: being independentbeing independent no duty to report to no duty to report to

the social servicesthe social services empowerment – both empowerment – both

for volonteers and the for volonteers and the women coming to the women coming to the sheltershelter

no difference no difference between ”us” and between ”us” and ”them””them”

Weaknesses:Weaknesses: relying on relying on

volontary work for volontary work for an important social an important social problemproblem

depending on depending on support from local support from local politicianspoliticians

Current debates in Current debates in SwedenSweden

Violence in other forms – violence in the Violence in other forms – violence in the name of honour, violence within HBT name of honour, violence within HBT relationships, specialized women´s relationships, specialized women´s sheltersshelters

New legislation; children who witness New legislation; children who witness violence are now regarded as victims of violence are now regarded as victims of crimecrime

New social legislation; increased New social legislation; increased responsibility for the local social services, responsibility for the local social services, concerning both funds and supportconcerning both funds and support