The 2020 Shelter Snapshot has been released (Photo: Alberta Council of Women's Shelters)

By Justin Goulet

Report finds decline in shelter use for women fleeing violence during pandemic

Dec 9, 2020 | 2:06 PM

EDMONTON, AB – Families living in violence are reaching out less to shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the health crisis hit.

That’s according to the 2020 Shelter Snapshot from the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS). The snapshot is a six-month picture of ACWS member shelter data and experiences.

“Since the pandemic onset, many shelters have shared their concerns about a drop in local numbers, reinforcing experiences from other jurisdictions,” reads a release from the ACWS.

“This year’s Snapshot confirms that provincially, families living in violence who would reach out to shelters pre-pandemic are less likely to reach out for shelter supports or residential services during this year’s public health crisis.”

The ACWS cited increased isolation, fear of contracting COVID-19 and pressure to stay home as some of the issues that added to pre-pandemic barriers for women leaving abusive relationships.

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“Domestic violence itself hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s gotten worse,” said Jan Reimer, executive director of the ACWS.

“Our thoughts are with all of the survivors out there who are doing their best to keep the peace, who are afraid of contracting COVID, who are unable to get support right now.”

The ACWS said that from April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020, members served:

• 21,744 calls with 7,241 of those being for crisis support.
• 1,792 Albertans accessed shelter outreach services.
• 2,725 women, children, and seniors through emergency shelter residential services.
• 300 women and children accommodated in second-stage shelter units.

The numbers for second-stage shelters (longer-term, secure, self-contained units with supportive programming) have remained steady, according to the ACWS.

“The ‘shelter of the future’ may look to the second-stage model of apartment-style units with their own bathrooms as a way to weather future pandemics,” said Ian Wheeliker, director of programs, pointing to preferred distancing and quarantine conditions.

“if more shelters could be designed this way, maybe more families could be getting help who wanted to leave right now.”

The snapshot revealed that women’s experiences of violence are increasing in severity. It cites the Danger Assessment scores (which is a measure of the likelihood of abuse escalating to homicide) held firm at the all-time high set by emergency shelters last year, and the second-stage shelter scores are higher this year than ever before.

“Sadly, there is no panacea for violence against women: no pill, no vaccine. Yet while the solutions to prevent domestic violence homicide deaths are much more complex, they are not insurmountable. We all have a role to play,” Jan Reimer said.

The ACWS noted that shelters have taken all necessary precautions to be the safest places possible for seniors, women and their children feeling violence and abuse during the pandemic.

“We understand why many women are staying put and not reaching out. They are the best judges of how to keep themselves safe,” Reimer said.

“When they need us, we’re here and ready to help.”

The 2020 Shelter Snapshot can be viewed here.

(Lethrbridge News Now)