Conway and Colleagues Publish Study on Mothers’ Experiences of Parenting in U.S. Intimate Partner Violence Shelters
Posted: 1/28/2026 (CSDE Research)
In a recent article in the Journal of Family Violence, CSDE External Affiliate Anne Conway (Univesity of Tennessee) was part of a team that explored how intimate partner violence (IPV) shelter policies and practices influence autonomy and well-being among survivors who are parenting young children in the shelter. Using semi-structured interviews with 14 survivors from shelters across the United States, they examined the ways in which shelter rules, staff, and childcare provisions, shape the lived experiences of survivors. Findings indicate that while shelter rules are designed to ensure safety and structure, they often conflict with survivors’ desires for agency and control over their parenting. Many participants reported feeling disempowered by rigid policies. However, survivors also highlighted moments where the rules provided a sense of structure and safety in which they could bond with their children.