Domestic and gender-based violence (DBV/GBV) remains pervasive and constant for many communities. Women’s shelters are often the first point of safety and support, yet the demand for these spaces exceeds available resources. Shelters across Canada and here in Winnipeg frequently report operating at or above capacity.
Women’s shelters are lifelines. These facilities provide a safe space and access to essential services like counselling, legal aid, and assistance with long-term housing. However, the strain on these resources has grown significantly, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the frequency and severity of domestic violence. This surge has overwhelmed many shelters, forcing staff to make heartbreaking decisions about whom they can accommodate.
“Our shelters are operating consistently at or over capacity.” explains Tsungai Muvingi Van Landeghem, Provincial Coordinator for the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters Inc. (MAWS). “Since the pandemic, which is something very challenging because how do you turn someone away?”
Across Manitoba, ten shelters receive provincial funding, including two in Winnipeg and one in Selkirk. Many additional shelters are supported through federal or private funding. A 24/7 crisis line is available for individuals experiencing domestic violence, which can be reached anytime at 1-877-977-0007. While resources are in place, funding remains a significant challenge for these shelters, especially in rural and remote areas where limited transportation and scarce Internet access create further barriers for survivors seeking assistance. Despite these obstacles, shelters continue their vital work, supported by dedicated but often overburdened staff working with inadequate funding.
North Point Douglas Women’s Centre (NPDWC) in Winnipeg demonstrates the impact a dedicated resource can have, offering support to those who have experienced violence and other needs in the Point Douglas community. Khalida Benedictson, Manager of Operations and Administration at NPDWC, says the centre provides a wide range of services, from immediate crisis intervention to long-term programs promoting healing and empowerment.
The centre’s initiatives include community navigators, who specialize in connecting individuals with housing, food, legal support, and other essential services. Their daytime drop-in centre offers a safe environment for women to seek help and access resources. Meanwhile, the Mama Bear Clan Patrol conducts community outreach, meeting individuals where they are and assisting those who may not actively seek it.
Among the centre’s standout programs is Bedroom to Healing, a trauma-informed initiative rooted in Indigenous teachings. Developed by local Anishinaabe woman Shannon Buck, this program has shown remarkable success in helping survivors process and heal from their experiences. Each of these programs is vital for the community, with Benedictions explaining although rates of violence do fluctuate, it remains a constant.
“Even conservatively, we see someone who is experiencing domestic violence or gender-based violence in that way at least once a week, if not more. We have people disclose once or twice a month, and then we will actually see an immediate emergency situation with fresh injuries and things like that, probably once or twice a year.”
Despite their critical importance, women’s shelters face significant obstacles, the most pressing of which is funding. Government support often falls short of covering operational costs, let alone the expansion needed to meet growing demand. Shelters also grapple with workforce challenges, struggling to offer competitive wages to retain qualified staff.
The housing crisis further complicates the issue. Shelters are meant to provide temporary refuge, but with limited affordable housing options, many survivors have nowhere to go after their stay. This bottleneck underscores the necessity of transitional support programs and broader affordable housing initiatives.
Addressing GBV requires a multi-pronged approach. Governments must increase funding for shelter operations and prioritize legislative reforms that protect survivors. Investment in transportation services and mental health resources is vital for rural areas. Community-driven movements like the Moose Hide Campaign, encouraging men to combat GBV actively, play a crucial role in fostering cultural change. For Muvingi Van Landeghem, addressing this issue will take social and systematic change and involve everyone.
“It’s not limited to one group or one, or one community. Unfortunately, it is spread across the community, both in urban and rural settings. This issue is a community issue. It’s not a behind-closed-doors problem.”
Public education is equally essential. Awareness campaigns that dismantle harmful myths, such as “Why don’t they just leave?” can shift societal attitudes and empower survivors to seek help. Teaching youth about healthy relationships and respect can also break cycles of violence before they take root.
Women’s shelters are indispensable in the fight against GBV, but they cannot tackle the crisis alone. Through systemic reforms, increased funding, and collective community action, a society where people can access immediate safety and the long-term support they need to rebuild their lives.
24/7 provincial toll-free crisis line 1-877-977-000724/7 provincial toll-free crisis line 1-877-977-0007
24/7 MMIWG2S+ Health & Cultural Support Services 1-844-413-6649
24/7 Suicide Prevention Helpline #988
24/7 Kids Help Line 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
If you are in danger, dial 9-1-1
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
