Children’s Rights and Their Life Situation in Domestic Violence Shelters—An Integrative Review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic integrative review was to review existing research on children in domestic violence shelters, and specifically to examine previous research on how shelters contribute to children’s life situation after leaving a violent home. The review includes 28 scientific articles published between 1984 and 2021. These were thematically analyzed and discussed using a children’s rights perspective to identify strengths and limitations in existing research and social work practice. The analysis resulted in five themes: (1) safety and security, (2) health, behavior, and support, (3) schooling, (4) spare time and shelter environment, and (5) social relationships. Safety and security is a theme of great importance, and if this aspects is lacking, it can adversely affect other areas of the children’s lives. Overall, the children feel safe at the shelters, and they appreciate the playgrounds and activities offered by the shelter. They often make friends at the shelter. The children’s right to be protected from violence appears to be prioritized, but the studies show the importance of also acknowledging children’s rights to support, education, recreational time, and social relationships, to improve their life situation at the shelter.

Young Children’s Lives at Domestic Violence Shelters: Mothers’ Perspectives on Their Children’s Experiences

“…Research also shows that safety and support for their children is one of the most important factors in women's decision to ask for help from a domestic violence shelter (Jonker et al, 2014). Research regarding the children's lives while at a domestic violence shelter is, however, limited (Fernández-González et al, 2018;Theobald et al, 2021;Thunberg et al, 2022).The research that does exist on children's experiences of violence and domestic violence shelters shows that, among children living in shelters, 80-90% have witnessed violence and about 50% have themselves been directly exposed to violence at home (Fernández-González et al, 2018). In Sweden, where this study is based, 40% of all children in Sweden has experienced some form of abuse from an adult, including 10% who have experienced violence against one of their parents (Jernbro et al, 2023).…”

“…Research also shows that safety and support for their children is one of the most important factors in women's decision to ask for help from a domestic violence shelter (Jonker et al, 2014). Research regarding the children's lives while at a domestic violence shelter is, however, limited (Fernández-González et al, 2018;Theobald et al, 2021;Thunberg et al, 2022).…”