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Toronto – July 2, 2015 – The Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses (CNWSTH) has launched a web-based resource – www.sheltersafe.ca – to help women involved in violent situations find access to safe shelters.

 At www.sheltersafe.ca, you indicate the province and or territory you reside in, to locate the closest safe shelters in your area – including contact information and a link to each shelter’s webpage. The Sheltersafe site also provides safety strategies, as well as answers to frequently asked questions including How Can a Shelter Help Me?, What to Bring to a Shelter?, Provincial / Territorial Crisis Lines, Making A Safety Plan, and Staying Safe on Your Computer (including using  the “HIDE PAGE” icon  on the Sheltersafe webpage to switch to a different screen if you fear repercussions from being discovered using the site).

“The Sheltersafe web-based resource is filled with crucial information for women who are in need of escaping violence or are interested in making a plan,” says Nancy Quiring, Chair of the UFCW Canada National Council Women’s Advisory Committee. “It’s both accessible and provides a comprehensive framework to plan, in a very short time, an exit strategy. It is a vital and practical approach to escaping violence.” 

UFCW Canada remains a strong advocate for women’s rights and has worked diligently with the CNWSTH and women’s organizations throughout Canada to develop A Blueprint for Canada’s National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Girls. The Blueprint is currently being used as a political strategy to ensure that the upcoming federal election puts women’s safety at the front of each of the parties’ platforms. According to the CNWSTH, women who experience abuse are most a risk of extreme violence when they prepare to leave their situation.

Your Local Union or individual endorsement of the Blueprint can help this campaign move forward. Show your support by sending an email with the name of your organization and a contact name and email to [email protected] with BLUEPRINT in the subject line.

 “Sheltersafe makes finding solutions to escaping violence accessible and sharable between colleagues, friends and family members who wish to help someone in need”, says  Sister Quiring. “If communities across the country demand a meaningful violence prevention strategy, which includes input from shelter organizations, together we can make a significant impact on ending violence against women in Canada.”