From February 1973 through March 1977, a total of 1,546 women and children have been housed in the two shelters. Of this total, 763 were women and 783 children. Because of lack of space, only one of every four requests for housing is met. For every woman requesting or receiving shelter, two common factors exist: each woman has fled from actual or threatened injury, and has had nowhere else to go. One of the main purposes in providing shelter to battered women is to help such women gain confidence in themselves and acquire power over their lives by fully grasping their possibilities and being supported in their choices. This is encouraged by operating the houses so that residents themselves maintain them. Beyond the structuring of daily life and general emotional encouragement, the staff ofers advocacy to both women and children as the groundwork for change. The average stay at one of the Minnesota shelters is 10 days, but stays range from overnight to several months. A woman may return whenever necessary and is urged to maintain contact with the shelter and return to the weekly support program. Several case studies illustrate the need for advocacy and the stresses on mothers and children. Five references are included.