What is a Domestic Violence Shelter like?
All domestic violence (DV) shelters are different but they do have common services and philosophies. Most DV shelters have dedicated advocates who genuinely work hard at bringing relevant and effective services to the participants they serve. Most DV shelters do their best to non-judgmentally support each participant, allowing the participants to decide for themselves what is best for them.
Each state has different requirements to work or volunteer directly with survivors of DV. Oregon requires 40-hours of specific DV training before working with survivors. This training is supplemented with ongoing training throughout an advocate’s employment with a DV agency.
Some DV shelters like Yolanda House are homelike environments where the kitchen, living areas, computer resource areas and bathroom facilities are shared. Families and single survivors have their own room or share with one other survivor. Everyone is able to prepare their own meals, do their own laundry and function as a family or individual unit. Some DV shelters have cooking staff where meals are prepared for residents. Some have shared rooms for both families and/or single survivors.
DV shelters vary on program requirements, such as the number of organized groups offered, required attendance in these groups, curfew or overnight policies, chore requirements, and general structure of the program. Almost all DV shelters offer domestic violence or similar support groups, some offer parenting or drug and alcohol recovery support groups as well.
Almost all DV shelters have play spaces for children and are set up with their needs in mind. Each county regulates the length of shelter stays. In Multnomah County, stays are limited to 60 days. After that time the participant must find other housing or, if able to, they may be able to find space at a different shelter.