The laws were different then. The police might be called, but they didn't have the grounds to take action. They'd say 'walk around the block and cool down.' It wasn't talked about, but was considered a family issue. |
They have to work together as a group and there are rules. Most of the women there have restraining orders so they're protected and can work or go to school. Sometimes they just need to be there for a couple of nights until they work out another plan and that's OK, too. |
This started at a grass roots level. Volunteers took women into their own homes, which was quite risky. They had a makeshift child care facility so that women could have support groups. These people saw a need and made it happen. |