Women's shelter

A Women's Shelter is a place of temporary refuge and support for women escaping violent situations, such as rape, and domestic violence. Having the ability to leave a situation of violence is valuable for women who are under attack because such situations frequently involve an imbalance of power that limits the woman's financial options.

A response to violence against women, a women's shelter sometimes also serves as a place for women to organize for equality, which is an important distinction from standard government-funded service-based approaches to domestic violence.

The most dangerous time for a domestic violence sufferer is on the point of exit. If their spouse catches them on their exit then they are at the most risk of being seriously injured or killed.