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Miklat Bat-Melech Shelters for Women
A place for women and their children to find refuge as they heal and rebuild their lives
Miklat-Bat Melech’s shelters are the only places of refuge that cater to the unique needs of observant women and their children. These shelters were created to give victims a chance to escape their abusive marriages and find refuge in a safe environment without compromising their religious beliefs. From humble beginnings in a one-room apartment with one social worker, by 2008 the Miklat Bat-Melech shelters were expanded to accommodate 60 women and over 130 children.
Therapy
While the first step of physically leaving her home for the safety of a shelter can be done in a matter of hours, it can literally take a lifetime for a woman to heal from the deep-rooted emotional wounds resulting from an abusive relationship. It is only with the ongoing support of Miklat-Bat Melech that extensive counseling and family therapy can be provided in order to help victims come to terms with their past and prepare for their future.
Vocational Training
One of Miklat´s key goals is to prepare women to live on their own and gain financial independence. To this end, women receive career counseling and training in the field of their choice. Along with formal education at universities and training programs, they are also coached in preparation for interviews, negotiations and social skills required in the workplace.
Children’s Counseling
Play groups are organized specifically for helping young children overcome the traumas of an abusive home. Within the context of a warm, relaxed environment, children play and also heal.
Older children receive individualized programs and special school placements in order to restore their confidence and self-esteem.
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