Launching Techsafety.ca on International Women’s Day
Today on International Women’s Day 2023, Women’s Shelters Canada’s Tech Safety Canada Project is launching its website, www.techsafety.ca! Tech Safety Canada equips shelter and transition house workers with the knowledge and resources they need to support women, children, and gender-diverse people with their experiences of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). TFGBV is when technology (such as a smartphone, computer, smartwatch, or a smart home [...]
Joint Statement in solidarity with Indigenous families mourning the murder of four Indigenous women
6 December 2022 – As we observe the 16 Days of Activism on Gender-Based Violence and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the announcement of charges in the murder of four Indigenous women at the hands of an alleged serial killer linked to white supremacist ideology is a tragic indication that the urgent action long called for by [...]
Joint Statement on the Release of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
24 November 2022 - As advocates who developed a Roadmap for the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence, we have been anxiously waiting for the release of this 10-year plan. This statement is our joint reaction to the federal government’s release on November 9, 2022, of its long-awaited National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which comes nearly two years after the 2021 [...]
Initial Reaction to the Joint Declaration and Framework for Action on Gender-Based Violence
9 November 2022 - Today, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments recognized the importance of the issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women (VAW). We appreciate that some of the recommendations from the GBV sector have been taken into consideration in this joint declaration and framework for action. However, this document itself is not a National Action Plan (NAP). A NAP, [...]
Joint Statement on the Effects of the “Freedom Convoy” on Women and Children Fleeing Violence
February 8, 2022 Women’s Shelters Canada and partner provincial and territorial association members condemn the blatant acts of violence, misogyny, and white supremacy demonstrated in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Vancouver, Toronto, Windsor, Edmonton, Coutts, Whitehorse – and elsewhere across the country – over the past couple of weeks. While we support the right of peaceful protest, differing views, and civil disobedience within our [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Receives Generous $2 Million Grant from The Slaight Family Foundation
February 8, 2022 Photo courtesy of Girls E-Mentorship Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $2 million grant from the Slaight Family Foundation to provide capacity to facilitate the creation of 16 new second stage shelters in Canada. “This grant will have an enormous impact on the shelter sector and the women and children it [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Launches “More Than” National Awareness Campaign
Ottawa, January 24, 2022 – Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is launching a new national awareness campaign illustrating how violence against women (VAW) shelters and transition houses are “More Than” shelter. The “More Than” campaign is both for women who may be experiencing abuse and those who may know someone experiencing violence. It details how VAW shelters and transition houses offer services beyond [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes $300,000 Donation from Shoppers Drug Mart
Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $300,000 donation from Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. to support violence against women (VAW) shelters and transition houses working with women facing mental health and substance use challenges, both problems on the rise since the pandemic. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence shelters across the country were seeing increasing levels [...]
WSC Calls on all Federal Parties to Commit to a National Action Plan on VAW and GBV
August 18 2021 WSC calls on all federal parties to address the alarming levels of gender-based violence in Canada by firmly committing to the development and implementation of a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence. We need to build on what has been achieved to date. In June 2021, WSC released a ready-made roadmap for Canada’s 10-year plan that [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Renewed Opportunity to Distribute Federal Funds to VAW Shelters Across the Country
Ottawa, 6 August 2021 Today, the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), announced that Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) will be distributing $81.5 million of federal funds across the country to eligible shelters and transition houses supporting women and children fleeing violence. In April, the federal government unveiled its Budget 2021, which included a $600 million investment in initiatives that [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes its Largest-Ever Donation of Face Masks and Filters from Vistaprint
Ottawa, 29 June 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled to accept the donation of more than 13,000 face masks and filters from Vistaprint and coordinate distribution to women’s shelters across the country. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters for women and children fleeing violence have struggled with higher demands for their service and fewer opportunities to fundraise,” Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada Lise [...]
Expert Report Launched Today Provides Roadmap to Ending Gender-Based Violence in Canada
Ottawa, June 22 2021 The latest report from Women's Shelters Canada (WSC) provides governments with the definitive answer to the question: What will it take to end gender-based violence in Canada? Expert Engagement to Address and Prevent Gender-Based Violence: A Report to Guide the Implementation of a National Action Plan (NAP) on Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence was launched at a media [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada is currently recruiting Public Directors for its Board
Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is currently accepting expressions of interest for Public Directors on its Board of Directors. WSC welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to work from an intersectional feminist perspective and framework. We are seeking applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Black and persons of colour, persons [...]
Organizations Against Gender-Based Violence Welcome Opportunity to Participate in the Mass Casualty Commission
Ottawa, 14 May 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC), the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) and Be the Peace Institute (BTPI) are pleased to be participating, in coalition, in the important work of the Mass Casualty Commission. Yesterday, the Commission released its decision granting all three organizations the right to participate in the work of the Inquiry. In its decision, the Commission [...]
Anti-Violence Advocates Applaud First-Ever Significant Investment in a National Action Plan: Federal Budget
Ottawa, 20 April 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada applauds the federal government for making gender-based violence (GBV) a central consideration in Budget 2021. The budget makes an overall investment of $600 million in initiatives that anti-violence experts have been calling for as part of a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women & Gender-Based Violence (NAP). In addition to $14 million for the development [...]
Answering the Call for a National Action Plan
Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to announce that it has just embarked on a historic project that will inform the framework and initial content of Canada’s 10-year National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Funding from the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) has made this possible. Since 2014, WSC has been calling for a NAP on GBV/VAW. This week, we [...]
New National Report Shows Increase in Frequency and Severity of Domestic Violence During COVID-19
Ottawa, 25 November 2020 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released Shelter Voices 2020: The Impact of COVID-19 on VAW Shelters and Transition Houses. A majority of violence against women (VAW) shelters reported a decrease in crisis calls and requests for admittance during the first three months of the pandemic, while a similar majority experienced an increase in those calls and requests when lockdown [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Receives Historic $4.5 Million Donation from the Rogers Family
Ottawa, 15 June 2020 Women's Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $4.5 million donation from the Rogers family to improve the lives of women and children fleeing violence, the largest in WSC history. "COVID-19 has taught us that a sector is only as good as its people," said Lise Martin, Executive Director of WSC. "Shelter staff have been working [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Appeal Regarding Extreme Intoxication
Like many women and women’s organizations across Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada was appalled by the Ontario Court of Appeal’s ruling last week that extreme intoxication resulting in automatism can be used as a defense against sexual assault. We therefore welcome the Crown’s decision to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. We stand with the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), which [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Stands with Black Lives Matter
Women’s Shelters Canada stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and with all Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour in Canada and around the world. As a settler organization operating within an inherently racist society, we recognize that it is our responsibility to act as allies and witnesses to the injustices faced by our siblings. We will continue to use our voice, [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Calls for Action after NS Shooter’s Former Neighbour’s Statement
Ottawa, 14 May 2020 Women's Shelters Canada is outraged that women's lives and the issue of violence against women continue to be minimized. The result is multiple systemic failures. As evident from the Nova Scotia shooter’s former neighbour’s interview, women aren’t believed even when they literally could have helped prevent Canada’s largest mass murder. Over the last decade, there have been multiple calls for [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Calls on Authorities to Acknowledge Gendered Aspect of Nova Scotia Mass Shooting
Ottawa, 23 April 2020 Women’s Shelters Canada is asking for the RCMP and the federal government to acknowledge the gendered aspect of this weekend’s mass shooting in Nova Scotia. On Sunday, unconfirmed reports came in almost immediately that the perpetrator killed his former partner and her partner during his rampage. For those working to end violence against women, this was not surprising, as [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Opportunity to Distribute Federal Funds to VAW Shelters Across the Country
Ottawa, 4 April 2020 Today, the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) will be distributing federal funds across the country to eligible shelters and transition houses supporting women and children fleeing violence. On March 18, the federal government announced $50 million to support the sector working to end violence against women (VAW). Of this, [...]
New National Report on Second Stage Shelters for Women Fleeing Violence Shows Inadequate Funding
Ottawa, 25 September 2019 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released “Transitioning to a Life Free from Violence: Second Stage Shelters in Canada.” This new report illustrates the important work that second stage shelters do in helping women and children transition to lives free from violence. Yet, the vast majority are doing so under increasing financial pressure. “The timing of this report’s release is [...]
As Father’s Day nears, men across Canada are making a positive difference in the lives of women and children
Toronto, 11 June 2019 A group called Strengthening Ties is working towards an impressive and important goal just in time for Father’s Day. Strengthening Ties is calling on men to honour the women and children that are important in their lives by pledging money to support Women’s Shelters Canada, a national organization working to end violence against women. Strengthening Ties: Men Supporting Women’s Shelters is asking men across the country to help [...]
New National Report Finds that Violence Against Women Shelters Are Doing More with Less
Ottawa, 1 May 2019 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released “More Than a Bed: A National Profile of Violence Against Women (VAW) Shelters and Transition Houses.” This report gives detailed information on the breadth and depth of VAW shelters across the country. The data clearly show that they are providing expanding services for a diverse group of women and children, without comparable funding [...]
Sheltersafe.ca Launches New and Improved Search Features for Women and Children Escaping Violence
Ottawa, 6 December 2018 Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (VAW), Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) has launched new and improved search features on its Sheltersafe.ca website. ShelterSafe.ca is an online resource helping women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map serves as a quick way to connect women with the nearest [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Releases Report Documenting Gaps in Domestic Violence Policies, Legislation, and Services Across Canada
Ottawa, 25 September 2018 Today, during Canada’s first Gender Equality Week, Women’s Shelters Canada is releasing the report Building a National Narrative: A Select Review of Domestic Violence Policies, Legislation, and Services Across Canada. Our goal is to see a Canada where every woman living with violence is able to access comparable levels of services and protection, no matter where she lives. Currently, that is not [...]
Introducing Three New Members of the WSC Board
Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled to announce our three new Board members: Claudette Dumont-Smith, Saadia Muzaffar, and Beverley Wybrow! Claudette Dumont-Smith Claudette Dumont-Smith has been actively involved in the field of Aboriginal health since 1974. She is a registered nurse and has acted in various executive capacities with the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and worked as a consultant for various National Aboriginal Organizations as [...]
Launch of Shelter Voices 2018
We are please to announce the release of Shelter Voices 2018, the fifth national survey of transition houses and shelters serving women and children affected by violence against women and intimate partner violence. This one-day snapshot from 215 shelters across the country offers a sense of the hopes, challenges, and experiences of shelter workers and the women they serve. This year’s edition of Shelter Voices [...]
Canada’s First National Shelter Conference for Women Fleeing Violence
Ottawa, 8 June 2018 WHO: Women’s Shelters Canada To mark our five-year anniversary as a national unified voice on the issue of violence against women (VAW), we are holding Canada’s first national VAW shelter conference. Drawing nearly 600 participants, Shelters of the Future: A National Conversation is taking place in Ottawa from June 13-15, 2018. Keynote plenary speakers: Alanis Obomsawin – award-winning documentarian [...]
National Conference Registration
Registration is open! Register now to attend Women’s Shelters Canada’s first national conference in June 2018 in Ottawa – Shelters of the Future: A National Conversation. Bringing together 600 people, this will be a unique opportunity for shelter and transition house (TH) workers to share and learn from their peers. It is also a chance for partners, policy makers, researchers, activists, and others [...]
New Resource to Commemorate December 6
Today is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We remember the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre as we work for systemic change to end violence against women (VAW). To mark this important day, we are releasing a new resource – By the Numbers: Violence Against Women and Girls in Canada, a summary of the current state of [...]
New logo launched!
In anticipation of the start of the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women tomorrow, we are launching our new logo! This logo communicates not only that Women’s Shelters Canada is a network of exchange, action, and care, but that it is also a unified voice in the work to end violence against women. WSC strives to elevate the work of [...]
National Housing Strategy Recognizes Needs of Most Vulnerable Women
Ottawa, 23 November 2017 – Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) welcomes the government’s announcement of the National Housing Strategy that commits to at least 25% of investments to support projects that specifically target the needs of women and girls. “Lack of availability of safe and affordable housing is a major barrier for women fleeing violence,” said Lise Martin, Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada. [...]
Survey – Developing a National Profile of Women’s Shelters
Ottawa, 19 September 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada has launched a national survey on women’s shelters and transition houses (THs) to strengthen the women’s shelter sector in Canada. The survey is part of a larger grant provided by Status of Women Canada. The survey will be instrumental in allowing us to demonstrate the extent of shelter work across the country. Data collected will help [...]
Women’s Shelters Canada Calls for Reinstatement of Shelter Enhancement Program
Women’s Shelters Canada, along with our member provincial and territorial shelter associations, is calling on the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, to reinstate the Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP) as part of the National Housing Strategy being announced later this fall. The SEP, previously housed at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), was dismantled in 2011 under the Harper [...]
Recommendations on the National Housing Strategy
Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) has developed 11 recommendations and an open letter to inform the National Housing Strategy (NHS), which we hope will lead to comprehensive policies and funding opportunities to better support women fleeing domestic violence. The recommendations are the result of a cross-sectoral roundtable on housing, homelessness, and VAW organized by WSC in June 2017. The roundtable brought together a diverse group of [...]
A step in the right direction – The beginnings of a more coordinated approach to addressing violence against women
Ottawa, 19 June 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) welcomes the release of the federal government’s strategy to address gender-based violence. It is recognition of the problem and how it impedes women’s equality. The intent of the strategy is to take a holistic approach at the federal level with Status of Women Canada (SWC) playing a leadership role. The strengthening of SWC is essential [...]
Launch of Shelter Voices 2017
We are pleased to announce the release of Shelter Voices 2017, the fourth national survey of transition houses and shelters serving women and children affected by violence against women and intimate partner violence. This one-day snapshot from 193 shelters across the country offers a sense of the hopes, challenges, and experiences of shelter workers and the women they serve. This year's edition of Shelter [...]
New Resources for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
This week for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week (28 May – 3 June 2017), Women’s Shelters Canada is highlighting the diverse services that women’s shelters and transition houses in Canada provide. Shelters and transition houses are much more than refuges from violence – they are places where women rebuild their lives. They are safe transitional homes for women to reconnect with themselves [...]
Budget 2017 – Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes News of a National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence
Ottawa, March 23 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is pleased to see that the federal government will be pursuing a national strategy to address gender-based violence. The organization has been advocating for a national strategy for several years. “It is essential that the federal government take a leadership position in addressing violence against women and gender-based violence,” Lise Martin, WSC’s Executive Director, [...]
Introducing Women’s Shelters Canada
We’ve got a new name! Here at the Network, big changes are underway. We’re re-branding with a sleeker, simpler name along with a new, modern logo. We will be launching the new logo in the coming weeks, but in honour of International Women’s Day, we want to officially announce our new name and tagline. The Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses [...]
Funding announced for the project Shelters of the Future: Key to preventing and ending violence against women
New funding will strengthen services for survivors of gender-based violence Minister Hajdu launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence by announcing support for women’s shelters November 24, 2016 – TORONTO, ON – Status of Women Canada The Government of Canada believes that women and girls in our country deserve to live free of violence. Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister [...]
Family Violence Does Not Happen in a Vacuum – New Report Fails to Contextualise the Violence within our Society where Gender Inequality Remains Prevalent
Family Violence Does Not Happen in a Vacuum - New Report Fails to Contextualise the Violence within our Society where Gender Inequality Remains Prevalent Ottawa, October 21, 2016 The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses commends the Chief Public Health Officer’s Report issued today on family violence in Canada. It is a societal issue of concern to everyone. As the report [...]
Sheltersafe.ca First Anniversary and New Video
Ottawa, 8 June 2016 This month Sheltersafe.ca is celebrating its first birthday! One year after its launch in June 2015, Sheltersafe.ca has grown to include close to 90% of the nearly 500 shelters across Canada that provide safety and support to women and their children who have experienced abuse. Our goal is to reach 100%. We have made a one minute video to [...]
Shelter Voices 2016 – Annual survey of a day in the life of Canadian women’s shelters shows increasing complexity of need
Shelter Voices 2016 Annual survey of a day in the life of Canadian women’s shelters shows increasing complexity of need. April 28/ Ottawa – The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses today released their third annual Shelter Voices survey report on the state of shelters for women fleeing abuse across Canada. Shelters from every province and territory have contributed to provide [...]
Budget 2016 Invests an Unprecedented $89.9 Million in Canada’s Shelters and Transition Homes
The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses (CNWSTH) applauds the Government of Canada’s decision to invest $89.9 million over two years for the construction and renovation of shelters and transition houses. For the Network’s more than 400 members, this unprecedented investment is welcome news. Over the past 20 years, funding for shelter renovation and construction has not kept pace with Canada’s [...]
Confirmation of National Action Plan – A Crucial Step In Addressing Violence Against Women
Ottawa, November 16, 2015 The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses (CNWSTH) is very much encouraged that the Minister of Status of Women has been mandated by the Prime Minister “To work with experts and advocates to develop and implement a comprehensive federal gender violence strategy and action plan, aligned with existing provincial strategies”. The development and implementation of a [...]
Opportunity to address the systemic causes of violence against women welcomed
The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses welcomes the newly elected Liberal government’s commitment to increase investments in Canada’s network of shelters and transition houses, as part of their investment in social infrastructure. The quick reinstatement of the shelter enhancement program would provide a good start. Our annual survey of shelters reported that on one day last spring, 302 women and [...]
Connect & Act to End Violence against women
3rd World Conference of women’s Shelters The 3rd World Conference will be held in the Netherlands from November 3rd to 6th, 2015. For more information: http://www.worldshelterconference.org/
Sheltersafe.ca – A lifeline to safety for abused women and their children
Read the article in the news here
With the launch of Sheltersafe.ca today – a new online resource – women and children across the country will have a one stop connection to help in their community when they are seeking shelter from domestic abuse.
Shelter Voices 2015 – Survey confirms urgent need to expand capacity in Canadian women’s shelters
The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses today released their second annual Shelter Voices survey report on the state of shelters for women fleeing abuse across Canada.