This document discusses strategies to promote women's economic independence after domestic violence. It outlines programs at the Star Shelter in Singapore that provide counseling, job matching, childcare assistance, financial aid, and skills training to help survivors of domestic violence become financially self-reliant. Case studies are presented showing how these programs helped women secure employment, housing, and divorce abusive partners. The presentation concludes that a holistic approach including therapeutic services, case management, and access to opportunities is effective in helping women break the cycle of violence through financial independence.

1. A temporary refuge for women and
children who are survivors of violence
A Service by:
The National Coordinating Body of
Women’s Organisations in Singapore

2. Breaking the cycle of violence:
Women’s Economic Independence &
Employment Strategies
Presenter & co-author:
Lorraine Lim, Administrator & Counsellor, Star Shelter – SCWO
Co-author:
Armi Aarni, Research, SCWO

3. Scope of Presentation
 Economic Independence
 Role of Employment
 Domestic Violence & Socio-Economic Status
 Survivors of Domestic Violence in Singapore
 Star Shelter & Residents
 Programs for Employment & Financial Self-Reliance

4. Economic Independence
Access to opportunities and resources
 Meet own needs and dependent’s
 Childcare
 Healthcare
 Housing
 Transportation
 Job
 Career prospects, education, training

5. Role of Employment
 Employment often key to financial self-reliance
 For abused women, work must provide
sufficiently, if she chooses to leave relationship
 Abusers may interfere with partner’s work, obtain
& maintain employment
 Work’s positive effects



Raise self-esteem
Less social isolation
Improve psychological & physical health

6. Domestic Violence (DV) & Socio-Economic Status
 Literature Review

Poorer women are more likely subjected to DV

U.K. women unable to find £100 are 3.5 times more
likely subjected to DV

In the U.S. between 8.5% - 41.4% of women receiving
welfare benefits victimised by DV

Higher economic power, lower risk of violence

Those financially dependent on abuser likely to stay

7. Domestic Violence (DV) & Socio-Economic Status
 Most women living with DV


Do not have savings, cash, bank or credit accounts
Have dependent children
 Leaving abuser means decline in financial
security & living standards
 Women who flee, often return for financial
reasons
 Immigrant women in Singapore, with no right
to work, depend on husbands for economic
survival

8. Profiles of Survivors in Singapore
 47.2 % in their 30s
 43.4% only secondary school qualifications
 22% housewives
 12.8% unemployed
 28.8% low paid work
 About 400 referred to shelters annually

9. Star Shelter
 Started in March 1999
 30 beds
 Serves about 120 women &
their children annually
 Stay about 3 to 6 months
 About 80% experience intimate
partner violence (IPV)

10. Profile of Star Shelter Clients
61 to 70
years
8%
51 to 60
years
16%
41 to 50
years
32%
Education Level
Age
University &
above
8%
Pre-uni/Poly
11%
31 to 40
years
44%
Primary
44%
Secondary
37%

11. Profile of Star Shelter Clients
Income per month
Nationality
Foreigners
10%
S$1,301 to
S$1,800
15%
Permanent
Residents
15%
S$800 to
S$1,300
85%
Singaporean
75%

12. Star Shelter’s Holistic Approach
Case
Management
Clothing
Future Housing
Job Matching
Safe
Accommodation
PPO
Legal Advice
Financial
Aid
Food
Childcare
Basic Needs
Practical Needs
Groupwork
Counselling
Emotional Needs
Art
Therapy

13. Case A : No longer aimless and jobless
Therapeutic
Programs
 Counselling
 Art Therapy
 Group Work
 Open Art Studio
Ms A
• 39 year old, unemployed
• Abused by boyfriend for 10 years
‘My life was like a
cloud, floating without
direction’
• After counselling, found job as
kitchen helper
‘Counselling helped me improve
my relationship with my bosses
and colleagues’
• Increased salary
• Left abusive relationship

14. Cases B & C : Work, childcare & financial help
Mdm B
Programs for Employment
& Financial Self-Reliance
 Job Matching
 Childcare Arrangements
•
•
•
•
•
•
 Financial Assistance
 Budgetting Workshops
39 year-old, PR, jobless,
3 year-old daughter
No social/family support
Childcare arrangement
Job matched
Divorced husband
Mdm C
•
•
•
•
30 year-old, 2 year-old son
Security officer
Funds for transport, phone card
Secured better job after 2 months

15. Case D : Empowered with English
Mdm D
Other Job Strategies, Skills
Training & Upgrading
 English Classes
 IT Skills
 Food Handling Certification
 Grooming Workshops
 Yoga & Meditation
 Gardening
 Referrals to other community
resources
• 33 year-old, PR
• Housewife, 3 year-old son
• Poor spoken English
• Attended English classes
• Found job after 2 months
• Rented room for herself and
son after divorcing husband
‘I’m so happy…I can be
independent and take care
of my son. No need to
depend on my husband.’

16. Conclusion
 Many tools to break cycle of violence
 Women’s economic independence is one tool
 Financial self-reliance boosts confidence
 Economic independence together with other life skills
achieved with therapy
 Therapy, case management, access to various
opportunities & services provide holistic approach