The benefits and process of a domestic shelter (Essay Sample)

Describe the process and benefits of a domestic violence shelter Student’s name Professor’s name Course title Date A domestic violence shelter is a safe place where abuse victims and violence victims are offered assistance and housing. Most victims of domestic abuse end up being homeless. Residence is offered to victims and their family members, and can be either temporary or long-term. The purpose is to offer these victims a time to recover and rebuild their lives. The program offers a number of programs which include housing assistance, life skill lessons, legal services, counseling, employment assistance and child care services. The shelter offers victims of Gender Based Violence safety, shelter and a chance to rebuild their lives by offering them life skills and counseling. Before members are allowed into the shelter, they are taken through a screening process. Members are taken through a screening process which is conducted through the crisis and process support line which is open 24/7 (Rosenberg & Grab, 2015). The line is busiest during the night. Individuals are screened against the shelter’s mission and guiding principles. Individuals who do not meet the shelter’s guiding principles are assisted with referrals. Referrals are also recommended if the shelter is full. Members who are welcome to stay at the shelter include women who have been sexually or physically abused by boyfriends, husbands or partners (Haven, n.d.). Children cannot be admitted to the shelter without their parents. Emancipated children are an exception and can be admitted to the shelter. Guests are not allowed at the shelter for safety reasons. Individuals who pass the screening process at the shelter are admitted without discrimination on religious, racial or any other grounds. The shelter is a communal living center which provides the victims of domestic abuse with many benefits. These individuals are offered with residence and three meals a day. Emergency services are also offered at the shelter. Transport to medical facilities are also offered at the facility, as well as First Aid services. The shelter saves a lot of women from abusive relationships. Some women are forced to endure abuse because they have nowhere to go. These women are offered safety from their abusive partners, as well as training on safety measures. These victims are in the need of support which is mostly offered in terms of emotional support. The economic issues of these women and their families are intervened by assisting them to find jobs, offering them job training, assisting them to find affordable housing, and educating these women how to manage their finances. Mothers are able to ensure the safety of their children. Children are traumatized when their parents are involved in violence, and the program offers these children with counseling (Administration for Children and Families). At the shelter, children are made to understand Gender-Based Violence and are able to express themselves without becoming violent. Counseling and support programs are also offered at the shelter. The purpose of the counseling program is to work together with these individuals to set and achieve individual goals. The counseling program is used to assist these individuals to move past their crisis. Individuals who spend time at the shelter experience an overall improvement in life. The counseling offers these individuals with satisfaction in life. Their outlook towards life changes during their stay at the shelter. Counseling at the shelter is also accompanied by services from supportive agencies (Haven, n.d.). Women who have gone through the program have exhibited an improvement in their life functioning, ability to cope, and acquire a general sense of support when compared to victims who have not gained access to a shelter. Other supportive programs include group therapy sessions at the shelter. During these sessions, members are offered the chance to share their experience and bond with other members and help them feel supported by fellow victims who have gone through a similar experience. Members who avoid the use of shelter homes have been known to remain in abusive situations for longer and experience longer trajectories of abuse (Haven, n.d.). The empowerment offered at the shelter reduces the post-traumatic stress of GBV violence. Most victims with PSTD are more likely to refrain from searching for help from facilities such as ours. Education is also offered to enable these victims to achieve life skills. The group offers lessons that educate these individua...