Shelter Care Workshop

Shelter Care Workshop:  The Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa conducted a workshop on Shelter Intervention and Management on Saturday, 19 January 2008, at the Swami Nischalananda Hall, Headquarters, Glen Anil. Prof Anshu Padayachee from the Advice Desk conducted the workshop for the Abused. Twenty-six members of the Clinic were in attendance, including twelve who have also completed the certificate course on “Crisis Intervention in Domestic Violence”.  

The workshop addressed the following issues:

• effective and efficient shelter management;
• skills necessary to deal with cases of domestic violence;
• effects of domestic violence on women seeking shelter;
• appropriate helping mechanisms;
• understanding of shelter philosophy and best practice. 

The main role of shelter intervention is to empower women and provide a safe haven at a time of crisis. The role of a shelter interventionist is thus crucial as he/she is often the first point of contact as a counsellor. The interventionist would have to remain neutral in a time when the sheltered is in a brittle state of emotions.  

The participants were educated on admission and discharge protocols as well as the all important aspect of follow up care. They would have to complete two case histories and be assessed by members of the Advice Desk for readiness to serve afflicted women.  They will render services at the Jayrambati Home, Foresthaven, Phoenix which is a shelter for women undergoing domestic crisis. This Home, under the management of the Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa, is situated in the epicentre of an area where there has been a surge in domestic violence against women.