Women's Shelters Research Articles

Evaluation of Psychological Symptoms in Terms of Childhood Traumas, Spirituality, and Conflict Tactics in Sheltered Battered Women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate psychological symptoms in terms of childhood traumas, spirituality and conflict styles in women victims of violence staying in women's shelters. Violence against women is a major public health problem. Spiritual values and practices are especially important for women to cope with the negative effects of violence. The study was conducted in women's shelters in two provinces of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 92 women who had been subjected to violence and stayed in a women's shelter for at least 15 days. The data were collected using the "Brief Symptom Inventory", "Conflict Tactic Scale", "Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS)", "Childhood Abuse Experiences Scale Short Form", and "Introductory Information Form" created by the researcher, and the data obtained were evaluated in SPSS 22.0 program. Frequency, percentage, Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the evaluation of the data. In all statistical analyses, p<0.05 was accepted as the significance level. It was found that 64.1% of the women in the study had at least one psychiatric diagnosis and major depression was in the first place (32.2%). According to the mean scores of the Brief Symptom Inventory, the relationships between all subdimensions except the somatization subdimension and the mean scores of the SWBS were found to be inversely significant at p<0.05 significance level. According to the mean scores of the SWBS, the relationships between all subdimensions except the transcendence subdimension and the mean scores of the Conflict Methods Scale were found to be inversely significant at the p<0.05 level of significance. According to the findings obtained from the study, it has been concluded that women should be encouraged to support them in order to be able to cope with the mental problems experienced in the psychiatric sense and to realize their spiritual beliefs and practices.

Women's Shelter, a prison in reverse: when the protection of victims imprisons them.

This article aimed to know a Shelter for women in situations of intimate partner violence at imminent risk of death located in the state of Rio de Janeiro from the perception of its professionals. To this end, this qualitative research adopted semi-structured interviews with seven professionals directly involved with the care and assistance to the Shelter's user population. The findings were interpreted through Bardin's thematic content analysis. Moreover, the profile of the women and children sheltered in 2021 was drawn based on the data provided by the institution. In conceptual terms, this work focused on intersectional feminist theoretical references. Among the results, we argue that the shelter is permeated by contradictions, from its normative idealizations to institutional practices: on the one hand, the shelter represents the possibility of salvation, that is, of interrupting the escalation of violence and, therefore, preventing femicide. However, on the other hand, it appears as an upside-down prison, which "incarcerates" the victims. We highlight the importance of thinking about new ways to ensure protection for women who need this shelter.

Trauma-Informed Care in a Homeless Women's Shelter: A Mixed Method Evaluation

Trauma-informed care (TIC) benefits to service users and providers are increasingly acknowledged across various health and social care settings. TIC can potentially increase service user engagement, prolong shelter placements, and lessen staff vicarious trauma and burnout. However, studies documenting staff experiences and/or the implementation of TIC are scarce. This limitation has prompted calls for more grounded and applied research into trauma-informed practice, tracking implementation in practice, staff perceptions, barriers, and organisational change. This study aims to address this gap and is an ecological, mixed-methods evaluation of the efficacy of TIC training in a female-only homeless shelter. Quantitative data included 132 incident reports during the first yearly quarters pre- and post-training, hypothesising post-training reductions in incident numbers and severity. Using expansive thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews with six shelter staff (n = 6) explored employee views of TIC relative to trauma understanding, incident management, and integration in practice. Findings revealed a marginal increase in incident numbers and a statistically significant reduction in incident severity post-TIC with a 50% reduction in calls to emergency medical services (EMS). Participant accounts of working practice pre- and post-TIC uncovered increased trauma understanding, increased confidence and competence, healing relationships, and enhanced self-care. Findings are discussed with reference to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s (2014) trauma-informed framework and Yatchmenoff et al’s. (2017) core questions in evaluating TIC. While these results are significant as one of the first evaluations of TIC training in Ireland, limitations and implications for future research and practice are considered.

Community experiences with police and implications for public health: A focus group study.

Interactions with the police can impact an individual's short and long-term physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as levels of violence and unrest within a community. As such, this study aimed to explore experiences with the police among individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages in Edmonton, Canada. For this qualitative study, participants (n = 39) were recruited from an emergency shelter for women, a drop-in community organization supporting individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantages, and a centre providing settlement support for newcomers to Canada. During the recruitment process, the research information sheet, including the scope and goals of the study, was presented, and participants who had any experience with the police were recruited. Each participant joined one of seven focus groups, during which experiences with the police were discussed; data from the focus groups were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis. Factors that contributed to satisfactory experiences with the police included the police demonstrating responsiveness and compassion, as well as an individual's understanding of police work. Factors that contributed to unsatisfactory experiences included the experiences of discrimination, stigmatization, and disrespect during interactions with the police. Participants suggested that community-police relationships could be improved by police being less judgemental and suspicious in their approach, undergoing regular training in sociocultural sensitivity, and being more open in their communication and community outreach. Overall, adopting a less discriminatory and more empathetic approach within a police force is essential for creating and maintaining a positive community-police relationship. By considering the socioeconomic context of people's behaviours and actions, police can better support the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

A Survey on Sun Protection and Skin Cancer Understanding of Women at the Shelter

As medical students, we want to make people understand the significance of skin health and protection from the sun. Despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer, melanoma continues to claim lives due to a lack of understanding and awareness regarding skin health. In addition, the United States faces a skin cancer epidemic — with cancer cases on the rise — emphasizing the importance of preventative education. However, not all people have the same opportunity to acquire this vital data. This is the reason we are suggesting a skin education and sun protection advocacy project aimed at the high-risk communities in New York City. We aim to enlighten vulnerable groups so they can make reliable decisions and safeguard their health. We started by doing workshops and practical training sessions at women's shelters.

"It's a Valuable Service but a Hard Place to Be:" Women's Views About Violence Against Women Shelters.

This mixed-methods secondary analysis examined VAW shelter use by 662 Canadian women abused by partners (50.5% Indigenous, 43.4% White, and 6.1% visible minority). Women who had never resided in shelters (n = 242) had less Severe Combined and Total IPV on the Composite Abuse Scale and fewer PTSD symptoms. More nonresidents worked full time and had higher incomes and no children. The 420 women residents mentioned strengths (70.4%) such as supportive staff and safety, and concerns (29.6%) about unsupportive staff and the shelter rules or facility. Some Indigenous women reported racist attitudes by shelter staff and child apprehensions. Practice implications are presented.

Psychosocial dimensions of being a child in women's shelters: A phenomenological study on the experiences of battered women - A case study from Türkiye's Northern Region.

Violence against women has numerous devastating effects. Exposure to violence not only impacts women but also affects their children both physically and psychosocially. The study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial problems of children living with their mothers in women's shelters from the mothers' perspective with a phenomenological approach. Utilizing the phenomenological research method, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 individuals in a women's shelter in a province in northern Türkiye. The criterion sampling method, a purposive sampling technique, was employed to select participants. Interviews continued until data saturation was achieved. All interviews were audio recorded and then transcribed, and thematic analysis was applied to analyze the data. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for reporting. The data analysis revealed four main categories (effects of violence on the mother, actions taken to protect children from violence, effects of violence and staying in a shelter on the child, and psychosocial needs for the protection of the child's mental health in the shelter) and 10 sub-themes (psychological effects, physical effects, social effects, domestic actions, organizational actions, psychological effects, physical effects, social effects, support system, and coping). The study concluded that violence significantly impacted the mental, physical, and social well-being of both women and children, posing challenges to their ability to cope with the aftermath. Women exerted considerable effort in protecting their children from violence, and they needed psychosocial support to ensure the well-being of their children's mental health during their stay in shelters.

"I don't think of it as a shelter. I say I'm going home": a qualitative evaluation of a low-threshold shelter for women who use drugs.

In 2021-2022, encampments in a downtown Boston neighborhood reached record heights, increasing the visibility of drug use and homelessness in the city. In response, the city planned a "sweep" (i.e., eradication of encampments) and requested support from social services and medical providers to pilot low-threshold shelters. Low-threshold shelters reduce barriers to staying in traditional congregate shelters with more flexible regulations, longer-term bed assignments, and secured storage for contraband (e.g., drugs, weapons) instead of forced disposal. One homeless service provider opened a harm reduction-focused shelter for women who use drugs. This report describes the low-threshold shelter design and program evaluation. This program evaluation had two primary aims: (1) to examine guests' beliefs about shelter policies and practices; and (2) to understand the staff's experiences working in a low-threshold model. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 guests and 12 staff members during the summer 2022. Interviews were thematically analyzed. Guests expressed overwhelming approval for the shelter's policies, which they stated supported their autonomy, dignity, and safety. They emphasized the staff's willingness to build relationships, thus demonstrating true commitment to the guests. Guests highlighted the value of daytime access to the shelter, as it granted them autonomy over their time, reduced their substance use, and helped them build relationships with staff and other guests. The co-directors and staff designed the shelter quickly and without US models for reference; they turned to international literature, local harm reduction health care providers, and women living in encampments for guidance on the shelter policies. The staff were passionate and committed to the health and stability of the guests. Most staff found value in the low-threshold model, though some were challenged by it, believing it enabled drug use and did not require the guests to "get better." This evaluation indicates the value of low-threshold, harm reduction shelters as alternatives to traditional models. While these shelters do not mitigate the need for overarching housing reform, they are important measures to meet the needs of women experiencing unsheltered homelessness who face intersectional oppression.

"We Get Our Healing Through Traditional Ways": Canadian Indigenous Women's Use of Violence Against Women Shelters, Mainstream Counseling, and Traditional Healing.

We know little about what services are accessed by Indigenous women abused by intimate partners (IPV). This mixed-methods secondary analysis examines the demographics and narratives of 40 Canadian Indigenous women regarding their use of violence against women (VAW) emergency shelters (55%), second-stage VAW shelters (7.5%), mainstream community counseling (70%), and Indigenous healing practices (42.5%). Five women who identified as LGBTQ or two-spirit accessed community services but not VAW shelters. The women had experienced severe IPV, but scored below clinical cut-offs for depression, psychological distress, and PTSD. They described strengths, concerns, and barriers in accessing services. Implications for counselors are presented.

A Survey on Sun Protection and Skin Cancer Understanding of Women at a Shelter in Long Island

As a medical student, I want to take action to make people understand the significance of skin health and protection from the sun. The United States faces a skin cancer epidemic, with cancer cases on the rise, emphasizing the importance of preventative education. However, not all people have the same opportunity to acquire this vital data. This is the reason why I am suggesting a skin education and sun protection advocacy project aimed at the high-risk communities in New York City. I aim to enlighten vulnerable groups to enable them to make reliable decisions that safeguard their health. I will start by doing workshops and practical training at women's shelters in the neighbourhood. Despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Melanoma continues to claim lives due to lack of understanding and awareness regarding the skin health.

DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ERA OF DATAFICATION

In this paper, we explore how activists and human rights defenders deal with datafication. This work demonstrates how data can be a valuable resource in activism and campaign planning. In addition, data and lack of data also complicate daily life for people in vulnerable positions, for example, when contacting government agencies, schools, and medical facilities . Data from four types of human rights activism formed the basis of our analysis. They include volunteers and employees of NGOs dealing with refugee and migrant issues, homelessness, poverty, sexual minorities, and women's shelters. The study was done in Sweden, where the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) laws limit the handling and storage of personal data. The following five major themes emerge from the analysis of data from our interview study: Affording personal integrity, Data poverty, Protective data practices, Drawing attention to data, and Systems and data routines. In addition, this study shows how activists and the organizations that they support are exposed to contradictory aspects of data; on one hand, deliberately exposing data about marginalized/minoritized groups, while on the other, making sure those groups, along with activists themselves, are not exposed. Most important, the data laws and regulations are not adjusted to the needs of the most vulnerable in society, and therefore, actions of civil disobedience are necessary to care for vulnerable populations through data.

Integrated Health and Social Care In A Woman's Shelter and Multi-Service Agency

Introduction: Evidence exists demonstrating that integrated health and social care (IHSC) can support enhanced care for highly vulnerable and marginalized population groups. One such group are homeless women. Street Haven (SH) is a multi-service women’s agency that serves homeless women who suffers from the intersection of critical health, social and financial disadvantages living in one of the poorest urban neighbourhoods in Toronto, Canada. SH provides shelter, supported housing, addictions treatment and training support services. Over the past ten years, client acuity has increased the health and social care needs of vulnerable women. The pandemic has exacerbated this. Clients have experienced chronic homelessness which is connected to trauma. They also suffer from mental illness conditions, and chronic diseases including respiratory illnesses, and gastro-intestinal illness, and diabetes. Street Haven has engaged in integrated health and social care (IHSC) to ensure that more comprehensive care can respond to the increasing client care complexity. &#x0D; Approach: IHSC coordination with community partners have been undertaken in order to address unmet health and social care. Within the SH shelter services, partnerships with primary health care partners, hospital services and community-based crisis and mental health teams have been established. As a result, a primary care physician and psychiatrist can be accessed once weekly on site by clients. Homeless women are then attached to a physician and psychiatrist while accessing SH services. In addition, when clients experience crisis, community-based outreach mental health and crisis teams are dispatched by other organizations to SH locations. The SH addiction treatment residence services also integrate with psychiatry services with a community clinical services agency and with the community crisis team to introduce crisis and psychiatric supports for addiction service clients. Lastly, SH works with community policing to ensure that women who exhibit behaviours stemming from crisis, may have benefit of community policing services that provide SH and client with protection while offering crisis supports at the same time. They help to divert clients from hospital and correctional services.&#x0D; Results: IHSC enables SH to better meet the needs of its highly complex client base within its premises. Several benefits of the IHSC include the identification of unmet health and social care needs of our clients including psychiatric and mental health needs and management of chronic diseases and medication prescription needs; enhanced client community engagement through the referral and coordination of services with community health and social care partner agencies; minimization of crisis events on SH premise sites; and minimizing utilization of acute car and correctional services. The competencies that are absent in the organization are available due to IHSC.&#x0D; Lessons Learned: IHSC can act as a lever for women’s shelter and addiction treatment services to provide more comprehensive health and social care services. IHSC is crucial considering the austerity in government program funding in Toronto and Ontario. IHSC is another means to better serve marginalized, homeless and impoverished women to ensure that they have more equitable access to health and social care services especially where there is a gender-bias against women’s services in Toronto. &#x0D;

Women’s shelters and private shelters discursive struggle: separatism, security and social change

ABSTRACT The increase in private shelters for women escaping men’s violence in Sweden prompts an analysis of discursive struggles on separatism, violence, and safety. The analysis of websites and interviews with representatives from private shelters and women’s shelters show that the woman-to-woman approach is important for women’s shelters whereas private shelters frame their use of male staff as a practical necessity or a way to show women that there also exist ‘good’ men. Women’s shelters articulate the importance of knowledge about men’s violence for counteracting normalization of violence and self-blame, while private shelters emphasize therapeutic knowledge and interventions. To provide safety, women’s shelters articulate the importance of a homey atmosphere and ‘inner safety’, where private shelters emphasize security; shell protection, perpetrator profiles, and risk assessments. The women’s shelters position their work within a discourse of social change, whereas private shelters emphasize their lack of political ambitions, with profit-making as their primary motivation. Should public funding continue to be funnelled to private shelters, rather than to women’s shelters, it will undermine women’s shelter’s dual role of providing refuge and contributing to social change. Should the private shelters discourse prevail it will likely alter the support provided to victims of violence.

Increasing self-protection skills of children staying in women's shelters with body safety training: a child sexual abuse prevention study

Objectives: Child sexual abuse is a risk for children living in a happy family environment, as well as for children under state protection who have problems in achieving family unity. Methods: The study was conducted with 17 children between 3-7 years of age staying at women’s shelters with their mothers and aimed to improve their sexual abuse recognition and self-protection skills. 7 children identified as experimental group were provided with the Body Safety Training program and the effect of the training was evaluated with the “What If” Situation Test. The test results in the experimental group were compared with 10 children in the control group and the test was repeated three weeks later in order to determine the persistance of the training. Results: The data obtained were evaluated by non-parametric analysis and Kruskal Wallis, Wilcoxon-signed Rank Test were used in addition to Mann Whitney U tests to determine the difference between the groups. As a result of the research, “What If” Situation Test sub-dimension mean scores showed an increase in favor of the post-test in the experimental group, but no significant increase was observed in the control group. Conclusions: This difference observed in the experimental group shows that the Body Safety Training program is an effective program to increase self-protection skills for preventing sexual abuse in children.

İnsan Aktivite Modeli Temelli Ergoterapi Müdahalesinin Aile İçi Şiddet Yaşayan Kadınlarda Etkinliği

Purpose: Experiences of violence negatively affect women's independence and daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the "Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)"-based occupational therapy intervention on the occupational competence and occupational participation of women affected by domestic violence and living in a women's shelter. Materials and Methods: The MOHO-based occupational therapy program, which includes 10 intervention areas, was applied to 13 women in two women’s shelters. Four-week (16 sessions) individual and group training and environmental interventions were provided. Participants' occupational competence was assessed with the “Occupational Self-Assessment” and occupational participation with the “Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool”. Assessments were conducted before the intervention, after the intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in occupational competence (p=0.002) and occupational participation (p=0.004) between pre-intervention and 3-month follow-up assessments. Improvements were noted in all domains (OSA-competence, and volution, habituation, communication-interaction, process skills, and environment parameters of MOHOST) (p0.05). Discussion: MOHO-based occupational therapy interventions delivered in women's shelters could have a positive impact on the occupational competence and occupational participation of women experiencing violence.

Skincare from the inside out: a pilot project addressing social determinants of health through dermatology.

Many women's shelters across the nation have programs that emphasize and empower women through career workshops and skills training. However, what is not typically addressed is their dermatological and mental health needs, which are equally important. Through this pilot project, we aim to address the diverse interrelated issues concerning the whole woman and her body/mind systems including skin cancer awareness, skincare, healthy sun habits, self-esteem, mental health, and stress management. By addressing the woman holistically, we hope to positively impact the way she views and values herself. We partnered with a local women's shelter to host a seminar focused on dermatological and mental health education. Pre- and post-seminar surveys were collected from participants. Surveys were anonymous and aimed to evaluate the success and efficiency of the workshop to guide and improve future seminars. The seminar had three workshops: skin cancer and sun protection, skincare, and mental health and wellness. Upon completion of the seminar, the attendees were provided with the opportunity to receive free skin examinations by two board-certified dermatologists, and referrals were made to Northeast Ohio Medical University's Student-Run Free Clinic. Upon completion of the seminar, attendees were provided with items such as sunscreen, skincare, and mental health resources. The "Skincare from the Inside Out" pilot project proved to be beneficial to residents of both Norma Herr Women's Shelter. Limitations of this study were the small sample size (n = 15), due to participation limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, to reduce the morbidity and mortality of dermatologic conditions associated with homelessness, it is imperative to address upstream social determinants of health. Future development of this pilot project will aim toward educating medical professionals on the unique and complex dermatologic and mental health needs of women experiencing homelessness.

Sisterhood at a Distance: Doing Feminist Support Work Online

The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of feminist peer support in the context of online chat counseling. Based on 15 interviews with female lay supporters associated with a branch of the Swedish women's shelter movement targeting young women, we explore how the digital setting—characterized by distance and anonymity—affects the meaning and doing of feminist support. Our results show that core principles of feminist support—striving for equality and trust, the crafting of safe spaces, and sharing experiences—are all renegotiated and/or accentuated by the digital setting. The chat is experienced as enabling a more equal relationship and a high level of safety. The meaning of safety has largely shifted, however, from being associated with a feminist community to safety associated with solitude and distance. We further show a tension in the respondents’ understanding of shared experiences, stressing both the importance of situated knowledges and the value of not knowing who is seeking or offering support. By combining research and material on feminist support and online youth counseling, the article offers novel perspectives on feminist counseling and social work, the power dimensions of online counseling, and the virtual space as an arena for feminist activism.

The rise of carceral feminism in Sweden: Analysing political debate and policy on men's violence against women

Drawing on recent parliamentary debates and policy proposals, this article illustrates how penal policies and punitive agendas to combat gendered violence are on the rise in Sweden. While right-wing parties have long deployed a rhetoric of crime and punishment, today the Social Democrats and Left Party (labelling themselves feminist), as well as parts of the women's shelter movement, are deploying a similar discourse. This article shows how men's violence against women suddenly became a highly prioritised political issue within a discursive framework of ‘crime and punishment’, thereby asking whether carceral feminism is emerging in Sweden. Firstly, we analyse the logic of this approach, after which we discuss associated risks, such as how carceral feminism (re)shapes the understanding of gendered violence, that it is neither effective nor demanded by victims and has stratifying and stigmatising effects on racialised communities. Furthermore, it silences material welfare solutions and ultimately legitimates the expansion of penal policies, thereby providing a foundation for a carceral state in which repression becomes the standard response to social problems.

Majör Depresyon Bozukluğunun Bilişsel Davranışçı Terapi Yaklaşımı ile Tedavisi: Olgu Sunumu

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of structured, goal-directed psychotherapy. CBT is a form of psychological treatment that has proven to be effective for diseases such as depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use disorders, and eating disorders. Many studies show that CBT improves an individual's functionality and quality of life. In this respect, CBT differs from many types of therapy. Many studies have shown that CBT is very effective in the treatment of depression. In this case, the CBT process of E.K., who is 35 years old and has symptoms of major depression disorder, is described. After the last violent argument she had with her husband, she settled in the Women's Shelter. When the client applied for psychological support, psychoeducation and CBT techniques was done in fisrt place. Keywords: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Case Formulation, Major Depression Disorder.

여성폭력 및 여성폭력방지기본법 개선 모색

Types of violence against women are wide and varied. Among various types of violence, the current acts are “segmentally” legislated on domestic violence, sexual violence, and prostitution, and are divided into legislation to punish perpetrators and protect victims. The need for an integrated support system for victims of violence against women and comprehensive legislation continued, and after intense debate in our society, the 「Framework Act on Prevention of Violence Against Women」 was enacted in December 2018 and implemented in 2019. The Act is a comprehensive act that comprehensively regulates violence against women, which had previously been individually regulated and takes into consideration the expansion of violence against women by reflecting a new type of violence against women. It clarifies the responsibility of the state for the prevention of violence against women and protection and support for victims, stipulates the promotion of violence against women policies, and supports victims of violence against women by reflecting the specificity of violence against women and establishing consistent statistics with the victim support system. It was intended to increase the effectiveness of the policy. In the process of enacting this Act, there was a conflict of opinions for and against it, and discussions on the need for revision are still being conducted. This paper aims to propose a supplement to the current 「Framework Act on Prevention of Violence Against Women」, and to this end, introduces a legislative example of Spain, which may be unfamiliar to us. Spain has enacted and implemented the 「Organic Act 1/2004 of 28 December on Integrated Protection Measures against Gender Violence」( 「Ley Orgánica 1/2004, de 28 de diciembre, de Medidas de Proteccióon Integral contra la Violencia de Género」). In Spain, this Act was enacted under the awareness that domestic violence was frequent in the past, that women's rights, which had been neglected, should be strongly protected through legislation, and that an equal power structure between men and women should be formed. This Act is for responding to cases of gender violence, reporting to the police after an incident occurs, providing medical support to victims, and providing social welfare services, women's shelters, and counseling services. In September 2022, Spain also made amendments to the Criminal Code that strengthened the punishment of sexual violence crimes and the protection of victims. Examining Spain's legislative examples can give an idea for revising or responding to our 「Framework Act on Prevention of Violence Against Women」. In particular, the victim protection order system is worth introducing in the 「Framework Act on Prevention of Violence Against Women」. This paper reviews the rights of victims of violence against women, types of violence against women, legislative examples related to support for violence against women in Spain, and major contents, criticisms of the current 「Framework Act on Prevention of Violence Against Women」 and measures for improvement which were sought. This paper emphasizes efforts to make up for deficiencies through the expansion of the definition of violence against women and victims of violence against women, the clarification of secondary victim damage terms, the expansion of prohibition of disadvantageous treatment, and the establishment and revision of provisions.