Thank you Polyesco & Iceflower
In an odd way it is also a positive sign that a new crisis center is necessary.
For many years now, the majority of women, often with a child or two, seeking refuges at these crisis centers are immigrants. 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation immigrants. It takes a lot of determination for these women to break free from an abusive marriage and often sever bonds to family as well as the network they have.
But going to such centers is not just a sign of desperation but a realization that they do have rights and that they can find help to start a fresh life and that they no longer have to take whatever abuse they have been subjected to.
That is spreading like ripples in the water. When one breaks out, others follow and the notion of the husband being the "king of his household" is increasingly difficult to maintain, even among the most traditional and conservative segments.
Another group of people who are seeking refuge at such centers are again immigrants. But young people, 18-23 or so. Right about the age where there is serious talk within their families for them to marry. Here the girls in particular, but certainly also the boys, don't look forward to a traditional arranged marriage to someone they hardly know. Not only that many girls are getting a higher education and looking forward to having a career on their own, the prospect of being married to a distant cousin from a village somewhere is anything but palatable!
Others, and that is especially those who have become "too Danish" or are somewhat rebellious fear being "persuaded" to go on a trip to their homeland, where they may end up staying for good...
Another group, and they are fortunately the minority, are those who have been subjected to abuse in their childhood homes. Mostly beatings but sometimes also sexual abuse, are also seeking refuge at such centers.
Another group which is not covered by Mary's visit here are homosexuals. Homosexuality is still a big taboo and even bigger no no, among wide segments of immigrants. They are also running away in increasing numbers.
The problems is of course that if you belong to a tightly knit network of relatives and fellow immigrants you really don't have that many to go to.
So some who run away end up in prostitution and drug abuse.
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