From Movement to Market: A Policy Analysis of Swedish Domestic Violence Shelters (1980–2024)

Domestic violence shelters are a vital service for abused women and children. The Women's Shelter Movement has historically provided this support. Recently, Sweden has shifted toward marketizing shelters, increasing demands for formalization, and allowing for-profit organizations. This study analyzes policy documents from the 1980s to the present to examine the causes of this shift, its implications for the Women's Shelter Movement, and the accessibility of shelters for abused women. The findings show that the role of women's shelters has changed; public policy has redefined the movement, and reforms have made shelters less accessible for abused women.