GUELPH – Women in Guelph and Wellington County are among the 44 per cent in the country who will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and your support is needed now say officials with Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.
Violence against women is far more common than many of us realize.
More than two in five Canadian women will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
Many people may not know that a friend, family member, neighbour or co-worker is being affected by violence, as 80 per cent of intimate partner violence cases continue to go unreported.
While many communities across Canada are experiencing a significant spike in intimate partner violence since 2014, shelters across the country lack adequate funds to support the high number of women, gender-diverse people and children escaping intimate partner violence.
Organizations like Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis help women and gender-diverse people who experience intimate partner violence by providing life-saving services such as a safe place to stay, safety planning, counselling, advocacy and practical supports.
In 2023 the domestic violence shelter in Guelph, Marianne’s Place, supported 138 clients (78 women and 58 children), up from 121 clients in 2022.
The length of stay has increased dramatically due to shortages in affordable housing.
On average residents are finding alternative housing arrangements within five months of their arrival.
With their shelter beds (and most shelter beds in the province) full, it means that many more women are staying in violent homes because there isn’t enough shelter space to meet the demand.
Shelters need help urgently, and the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health ‘Giving Shelter’ campaign is here to help women access the support they need.
In Guelph, Elora and Fergus, community members can support Marianne’s Place by donating at any of the local Shoppers Drug Mart stores from Sept. 7 to Oct. 4.
Online donations can be made directly at gwwomenincrisis.org/give-help/make-a-donation/.
On Sept. 14, supporters can also help raise funds through a Beauty Mingle event at any of the seven local stores.
Tickets include makeovers, skincare consultations, goodie bags and games with proceeds going to Marianne’s Place.
Contact Christine Wilson, shelter program manager at Marianne’s Place, at 519-836-6831 ext. 228 to learn more about:
– how Guelph community members can support women facing intimate partner violence; and
– the importance of keeping Marianne’s Place’s doors open to women in need in our community.
