1. The Women´s Shelter Movement in Sweden Kina Sjöström Sollentuna Women´s Shelter kina@sollentunakvinnojour.se www.sollentunakvinnojour.se

2. Agenda Sollentuna Women´s Shelter Sollentuna Women´s Shelter The women´s shelter movement in Sweden The women´s shelter movement in Sweden A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid” A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid” Strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish women´s shelters Strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish women´s shelters Current debates in Sweden Current debates in Sweden

3. Sollentuna Women´s Shelter Organisation: Organisation: - NGO, 30-40 volunteers, municipal funds What we do: What we do: - emergency helpline, shelter, counseling, education What I do: What I do: - counseling women, administration, organizing the voluntary work

4. The Women´s Shelter Movement in Sweden The start: - part of the women´s movement - 30 years ago, 160 shelters today - women helping women - voluntary work, non governmental ROKS – the national organisation

5. A Typical Swedish Women'sShelter municipal funding optional anonymity exclusively female members voluntary basis, 1-2 employees women helping women Support based upon the wants and needs of wants and needs of the woman independence(politically and religiously)

6. The Women´s shelter movement in Sweden ROKS – the national organisation for women´s shelters in Sweden Education for members Education for members Influence the public opinion and debate Influence the public opinion and debate Referral organisation for legislative bills that affect women Referral organisation for legislative bills that affect women

7. A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid” From an individual to a structural problem From an individual to a structural problem From ”domestic violence” to ”male violence against women” From ”domestic violence” to ”male violence against women” From ”assault” to ”Kvinnofridskränkning” (gross violation of a woman’s integrity) From ”assault” to ”Kvinnofridskränkning” (gross violation of a woman’s integrity)

8. Strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish women´s shelters Strengths: being independent being independent no duty to report to the social services no duty to report to the social services empowerment – both for volonteers and the women coming to the shelter empowerment – both for volonteers and the women coming to the shelter no difference between ”us” and ”them” no difference between ”us” and ”them” Weaknesses: relying on volontary work for an important social problem depending on support from local politicians

9. Current debates in Sweden Violence in other forms – violence in the name of honour, violence within HBT relationships, specialized women´s shelters Violence in other forms – violence in the name of honour, violence within HBT relationships, specialized women´s shelters New legislation; children who witness violence are now regarded as victims of crime New legislation; children who witness violence are now regarded as victims of crime New social legislation; increased responsibility for the local social services, concerning both funds and support New social legislation; increased responsibility for the local social services, concerning both funds and support