Emergency shelter and intersectoral coordination in addressing violence against women: report on the experience of the Casa de Passagem in São Bernardo do Campo (SP)

Abstract

Violence against women represents a serious violation of human rights and a persistent public health issue, requiring urgent, integrated, and intersectoral responses. Among the tools provided under Brazilian legislation, emergency shelters play a strategic role in offering immediate protection to women at imminent risk. This article describes and analyzes the implementation of the emergency shelter “Enfermeira Vanessa de Cássia Fontes” in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) during its first five months of operation, from April to August 2025. It uses an experience report with a qualitative approach and document analysis, based on institutional records, intake forms, violence notifications, and user satisfaction questionnaires. A total of 14 women were sheltered, presenting diverse profiles in terms of age, income, and family circumstances, including elderly women and those with children, all experiencing physical, psychological, patrimonial, or institutional violence, and/or suspected cases of sexual violence. The work of the multidisciplinary team, combined with coordination with network services — such as the Women's Reference and Assistance Center, Women’s Police Station, hospitals, and Metropolitan Civil Guard — resulted in rapid responses and humanized care. Users reported a high level of satisfaction (100% overall approval) in satisfaction surveys, particularly highlighting the facilities, team engagement, and perception of safety. The main weaknesses identified were the short duration of stays and the lack of vacancies in long-term shelters. This experience highlights the importance of emergency shelters as an essential component of the network to combat gender-based violence and points out pathways for replicability in other regions.