The Women´s Shelter Movement in Sweden

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 • The women´s shelter movement in Sweden • A new legislation – ”kvinnofrid” • Strengths and weaknesses of the Swedish women´s shelters • Current debates in Sweden

3. Sollentuna Women´s Shelter • Organisation: - NGO, 30-40 volunteers, municipal funds • What we do: - emergency helpline, shelter, counseling, education • 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

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

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

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

9. Current debates in Sweden • 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 social legislation; increased responsibility for the local social services, concerning both funds and support