Protection on equal terms - A report on the quality of domestic violence shelters for persons with disabilities

Våld

The Swedish Agency for Participation (MFD) has initiated this study to increase knowledge about how domestic violence shelters support persons with disabilities who have been subjected to violence.

Summary

The report is based on interviews and written contributions from domestic violence shelter providers, disability organisations, and other relevant actors. This summary highlights the study’s key findings.

Broad and complex needs

Persons with disabilities may have extensive and complex needs when staying in domestic violence shelters. This includes support in daily life, assistive devices, and the need for clear and adapted communication.

It also includes contact with healthcare services provided under the Swedish Act (1993:387) on Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairment (LSS). Domestic violence shelter providers describe that they often need to act as a link between different agencies and services in order to ensure coordinated support during and after the stay.

What characterises quality

Quality means meeting the individual’s needs in a safe, accessible and understandable way. The interviews show that individually tailored support, clear communication, and adapted safeguarding measures are central components.

A high-quality service also needs to provide long-term support, a well-designed living environment, and staff with knowledge of both violence and disabilities. For persons with more extensive needs, 24-hour staffing and close cooperation with other services may be necessary.

Differences between shelters

The conditions vary between shelter providers. Some already operate in ways that meet the quality criteria. Others lack accessible premises, relevant expertise, or the capacity to provide coordinated support.

The findings show that the quality of domestic violence shelters is not equivalent for persons with disabilities.

When specialised expertise is needed

The study shows that not all domestic violence shelters can, or should, accommodate persons with more extensive support needs. For some persons with disabilities, shelters with specialised expertise, 24-hour staffing, and established cooperation with LSS services and healthcare providers is required.

Where such resources are available, protection and support are more effective and more sustainable over the long term.

Municipal assignments affect quality

Placement duration, the scope of the assignments given to shelters by municipalities, and access to support measures vary between municipalities. This affects the ability of shelter providers to deliver stable and coordinated support.

For persons with disabilities, longer placement periods are often important to ensure that support measures can be properly established.

Need for improved coordination

Quality depends on how effectively actors such as social services, LSS services, healthcare providers, and schools cooperate.

The interviews show that shortcomings in coordination are a recurring challenge. When a person moves between municipalities or requires new support measures, it may become unclear which municipality is responsible. This can delay support and decision-making.

Effective inter-agency cooperation is therefore crucial in ensuring that protection and support function properly.