The survey shows that on one day, 242 shelters in Canada helped 4,178 women and 2,490 children. The survey also shows that 116 women were pregnant and 184 had been threatened by a gun. In 2014, violence against women remains a major barrier for far too many women in achieving their full potential.
The survey also showed that the three biggest challenges for shelters are lack of government funding (70% of shelters reported), gaps in services and supports for marginalized women (62% of shelters reported) and lack of supports when a woman leaves the shelter (62% of shelters reported).
The 242 participating shelters completed an on-line questionnaire to reflect the data of one specific day in the life of their shelter during the week of November 25th, 2013. The data from this survey is part of a global data count, a yearly initiative of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters coordinated by the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.