“I came here scared and confused, they made me realize that I am worthy of so much more." This is the voice of a woman staying at a shelter in Canada.   

The stories from Shelter Voices speak to us (Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses first pan-Canadian annual survey– part of the Global Count of Women’s Shelters) – they pull us in and make us care. I love to hear women in shelters tell us how important the services are and how much better their lives are because shelter workers are there to help them. I especially like the phrase ‘I came here a caterpillar and left a butterfly’.

Do you know someone who is living with violence? You are not alone. Two thirds of Canadians know a woman who has experienced physical or sexual violence.

If you know a woman who is experiencing violence or if you are experiencing violence, the below resources may be of assistance. You can also access these resources and more tips for how to help a woman who has experienced abuse in our Avon Tip Sheet.

Every six days, another woman in Canada is murdered by her current or former partner. Every night, more than 3,300 women (along with their 3,000 children) are forced to sleep in a women’s shelter or transition house because it’s not safe for them at home.

Do you know someone who is living with violence? You are not alone. Two thirds of Canadians know a woman who has experienced physical or sexual violence.