International Shelter Research Network

International Domestic Violence Shelter Research Network

The launch of the International DV (Domestic Violence) Shelter Research Network was launched during the European Conference on Domestic Violence (ECDV) held in Iceland, September 2023. Johanna Hietamäki (THL) convened the researchers studying domestic violence shelters and solicited their interest in forming a network for shelter research. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

The aim of the International Shelter Research Network is to foster interaction and collaboration to promote multidisciplinary and multimethod research on shelters for individuals exposed to domestic violence (DV). The network is specifically intended for researchers conducting studies on DV shelters. The first meeting of the network took place in March 2024.

Currently, the network comprises of 56 members from 18 different countries (02/2025).

Comparative Pilot Study on Domestic Violence Shelters

The Domestic Violence Shelter Research Network is conducting a large-scale comparative pilot study on DV shelters (Global Domestic Violence Shelter Pilot Study).

The pilot study (2025–2026) will include 100 DV shelter directors from 20 countries, with five directors selected from each participating country. This exploratory research aims to compare the functioning of shelters, populations served, and programs offered on a global scale, covering continents such as Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Data will be collected through structured interviews based on a questionnaire adapted from Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare. Researchers from various countries will conduct interviews in their respective local languages, with responses translated into English for analysis.

Steering group:
PI Johanna Hietamäki, Senior Researcher, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland
Judith McFarlane, Professor, Texas Woman’s University, Houston, Texas USA 
Natalie Söderlind, Analyst, Barnafrid, Linköping University, Sweden
Tomomi Hisasue, PhD candidate, Tampere University, Finland

If you are interested in joining the network please contact Senior Researcher Johanna Hietamäki (firstname.surname@thl.fi).