Violence against women (VAW) remains a violation of human rights around the world. Around one in three women, globally, report having experienced some form of gender-based violence (GBV) in their lifetime – a rate that is surely a low estimate, given high barriers to disclosing violence.

As a first stop, many women experiencing violence seek support from public authorities through entry points in emergency medical care, police interventions, and emergency housing shelters. Many women also (simultaneously or subsequently) need support services linked to safety planning, rehabilitative counselling, legal advocacy, childcare, income, housing, and immigration and asylum, as well as financial and job counselling. When violence occurs in a family home, the challenges are compounded: children and other co-habitating persons are also impacted by violence and may need support.

To address their needs, women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) must regularly navigate a wide range of health, legal and social services provided by a patchwork of governmental, non-governmental or private sector providers.