Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter sees 300% jump in crisis calls

Alberta's $15-million boost to support women fleeing domestic violence comes at a critical time for the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter, which has seen a 300 per cent increase in crisis calls since December.

Executive director Kim Ruse said it's not exactly clear why the centre has seen such a big jump in women seeking emergency help in 2015, but they think it may be related to the economic downturn. 

• Alberta women's shelters given $15M in new funding
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She there's no question the money is "very badly" needed.

"This will make a significant difference to front-line workers," said Ruse.

The CWES had to cut nearly $800,000 from its operating budget going into 2015, Ruse added, and the funding announced Wednesday by Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir will allow her organization to increase its outreach work again.

That's critical, she noted, because their emergency shelter is only capable of housing 50 women and children at any given time and is routinely full.

"So the importance of outreach is just critical to reaching those women we can't serve through the shelter," Ruse said.

In announcing the funds, Sabir said the province's goal is to ensure a broader range of supports are available to women and children escaping violent homes, including counselling, help finding new housing or accessing financial assistance.

Big money for Alberta women's shelters

9 years ago

Duration 0:53

Watch as Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir announces $15 million for Alberta women's shelter and Jan Reimer, from the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters reacts.

"The Alberta government is committed to protecting women and children affected by family violence," Sabir said. "This new funding will help ensure they are safe and get the support they need to maintain their independence free of violence."

Ruse said the new funding is "fantastic" for the CWES but overall more is needed to support Alberta women facing violence at home.

"It's a wonderful start and it's a great commitment but I don't think it's enough," she said of the $15-million boost. "From our perspective, there's so much work that needs to be done around prevention and around community education and moving the conversation so that domestic violence is just no longer OK."

Calgary also saw a spike in domestic violence in the last downturn in 2009.