How private, public shelters are helping GBV survivors get their lives back on track.

However, the quality and quantity of resources and services available to them largely depend on whether these shelters are adequately funded.

Leandre Mini, from Cape Town, who recently completed her master’s degree in political science at the University of Stellenbosch, said:

As part of her research, Mini compared the provision of resources and services in a government-supported shelter to a privately-supported shelter in Cape Town to understand the real differences between them in terms of empowering survivors of GBV and IPV. She interviewed managers and social workers at the two shelters and asked them to fill out a questionnaire about how the women living there perceived the services they received.

Instructions on duration

Mini said the manager and social worker at a state-funded shelter must adhere to guidelines for how long abused women stay and how many leave the shelter each year in order to remain eligible for state funding.

“Women are usually allowed to stay for three to four months, unless the social worker makes a case for an exemption from this rule. Because they don’t stay that long, many women leave the shelter without a way to improve their lives and prevent them from re-offending.”

“Also, the manager mentioned that most women live in shacks in someone else’s backyard when they leave because there is no government-funded program to help them find suitable housing or work.

Leandri Minnie

“These shelters find it difficult to empower women psychologically and financially because of the lack of adequate financial support and the limited length of time women can stay.”

Mini pointed out that the board of directors at the government-funded shelter has developed flexible guidelines that allow women to stay longer.

“Often women stay in the shelter until they find suitable housing and stable employment. This can be three to six months. However, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the unpredictable nature of the labor market, they were allowed to stay for eight months to a year.

“Women in the shelter are financially supported to pay a deposit for an apartment or house they want to rent.”

Food, shelter and various services are provided.

Mini added that both shelters provided shelter, food, toiletries and hygiene products, as well as counselling, parent training, skills development, employment and legal and medical services.

“Government-funded shelters usually refer women to public hospitals, drug counseling centers, and legal aid clinics, while privately funded shelters use private doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers, often offering their time and services for free.

“While the former gives women access to computers to search for job opportunities, create or improve resumes, and prepare them for job interviews, the latter uses employment agencies to help women find jobs.

“These shelters help women regain their self-esteem and independence by giving them the opportunity to choose not to return to an abusive partner. They also counsel women and help them reconnect with friends and family, giving them a support system that eases their transition into their new life.”

Advocating on behalf of women

Minnie spoke about how the staff of both shelters must consistently advocate on behalf of the women and come up with individualized intervention strategies that meet the needs of each survivor.

“All women try to support as much as they can, whether it’s taking them to the police station with them to file a protection order or helping them avoid paying their children’s school fees because of a change in their circumstances.”

Women at both shelters have found the resources and services helpful, she said.

Minni called on the government to adjust the length of time battered women can stay in state-funded shelters. “Government should implement a diverse victim empowerment program to help these women become financially independent and have a safe haven to break free from abusive relationships.”