Over the past year, Alberta’s domestic violence shelters responded to an overwhelming number of calls for help, while also providing critical services beyond emergency shelter, including housing support, mental health care, legal advocacy, and safety planning.
“The data in this report underscores the increasing demand for shelter services, but it also highlights the extraordinary dedication of shelters and their staff,” says Cat Champagne, Executive Director of ACWS. “Shelters are more than a place to stay—they provide survivors with the tools, resources, and support networks they need to heal and regain independence. The success stories we see every day prove that when we invest in shelters, we invest in safer communities for everyone.”
The report calls for continued investment in shelter services, stronger partnerships across sectors, and policy changes that address systemic barriers survivors face, especially in rural and remote areas, where intimate partner violence rates remain disproportionately high. As Alberta’s domestic violence shelters work tirelessly to meet increasing demand, the need for long-term solutions has never been clearer.