Lena Passi
Women Shelter
About Us
A safe haven for women and children affected by domestic and family violence.
At Lena Passi Women Shelter, we provide secure, confidential, and supportive accommodation for women and their children escaping domestic and family violence. Our mission is to empower survivors by offering a space of safety, dignity, and healing, helping them rebuild their lives.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is any behaviour used to control or hurt someone in a relationship. It is about having power over someone else and can happen in different ways.
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Types of Domestic Violence
Coercive Control
When someone uses actions or words to control their partner and make them feel powerless. This could include telling them what they can or can’t do and making it hard for them to leave the relationship.
Threats and Intimidation
Scaring someone to control them, like breaking things, following them around, or threatening to harm themselves, their partner, or their children.
Verbal Abuse
This includes yelling, name-calling,
swearing, or saying mean things that make
someone feel small and worthless.
Physical Abuse
Harming someone physically by hitting,
pushing, slapping, choking, pulling hair, or using weapons like knives or sticks to cause injury.
Emotional Abuse
Using actions or words to make someone
feel bad about themselves, like telling them they are useless, crazy, or a bad parent.
Social Abuse
Keeping someone away from their friends or family, or embarrassing them in front of others to make them feel isolated and alone.
Economic Abuse
Controlling someone’s money or not allowing them to have access to it, forcing them to rely on the abuser. This could also mean making them take on debts they didn’t agree to.
Sexual Abuse
Forcing someone to do sexual things
they don’t want to do, causing pain or humiliation,
or hurting their private parts.
Cultural and Spiritual Abuse
Making fun of someone’s beliefs, stopping them from practicing their religion, or preventing them from joining groups that support their cultural or spiritual values.
Separation Violence
Sometimes, the violence doesn’t stop when a relationship ends. It can get worse because the abuser feels they’ve lost control and become more dangerous.
Stalking
Following someone, watching them, or sending
unwanted messages, calls, gifts, or letters to make them feel scared or unsafe.
Cyber Abuse
Using technology to hurt or scare someone, like sending abusive messages, posting private photos or videos, or spreading lies about them online.
Planning to Leave
Leaving a violent relationship is a big step, and it’s important to think about how to stay safe.
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Before You Leave
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Make a plan to leave when it’s safe, and talk to someone you trust.
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Collect important papers like IDs, birth certificates, and bank details.
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Pack things you need, like clothes, keys, and medicine.
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Have a safe person who knows your plan and can help you.
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After You Leave
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Keep your location private and tell only people you trust.
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Get help from professionals who can support you emotionally and legally.
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Focus on building a safer and stronger future for yourself and your children.​
At Lena Passi Women Shelter, we are here to support you every step of the way. You are not alone, and help is available.