Do you think the domestic violence shelters in your area [View All]

have moved past the notion that domestic violence means spousal abuse with the man as abuser all the time? I'm trying to find serivces for a man who has a mental illness, is unemployed and lives at home with a parent. The parent is often physically abusive. The man finally pushed the parent, who then called the police and had the man jailed. The court convicted him of assault (or battery, not sure), but gave him a very light sentence, and even that was suspended. The judge seemed to see what was going on.

This man is still living at home, with the parent threatening to call police again for all kinds of reasons. There are all kinds of rules and limitations--can't use the computer, can't watch TV, can't close bedroom door, etc. This pushes the man to where he feels like lashing out, but fears going to jail. I told him to talk to the domestic violence shelter. He has, and said they have no services for men, no shelter, no groups, no counselors who will work with him. He's in a very rural area, but surely people in human services know there are a range of family dynamics which might lead to abuse.

Mostly, I'm at my wit's end. Every time I try to hook this man up with services, there's some reason he doesn't qualify. I have real fears as to where this might end up. He's not a parishioner, but someone I've known for a long time and care about.

I'm wondering whether most shelters are able to serve a variety of victims of domestic violence and abuse. Do you think the shelter in your area does?