For the past two decades, Portuguese governments have implemented a set of policies to tackle domestic violence. Domestic violence victims are at an increased risk of facing poverty and being socially excluded. In 2013, in Portugal, nearly 40 women were murdered by an intimate partner, current or former. Often victims search for specialist support services when become more aware of violence or fear for their lives. Shelters provide safe and temporary accommodation for women and children. If necessary, general support services for domestic violence victims should provide “legal and psychological counselling, financial assistance, housing, education, training and assistance in finding employment”. Conjointly, these services may minimise the chances of further victimisation and discrimination. The paper presents a CIES-IUL on-going research on the processes of social inclusion of domestic violence victims, namely, the support provided by shelters, as well as the support of local agencies for housing, training and employment. Methodologically, the research focuses the Portuguese policies regarding domestic violence, the shelter support network, the discourses of women who underwent a violent relationship and lived temporarily in a shelter. By analysing the achievement of policies, research brings a new perspective on the victims’ social inclusion process in a time of economic crisis.

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Shelters,social inclusion,violence against women