Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 77 “Oftentimes, I am in awe of the resilience of the women we help. It truly amazes me.” AS WORKERS, SHELTER WORKERS IDENTIFIED THEIR TOP 3ISSUES • 60% Concern over inability to effectively address increasingly complex issues client face • 51%Feeling of not being able to affect the systemic causes of the issues facing clients • 46%Low pay “It is demanding work that never ends, but it is so important – seeing women regain control of their lives.” continued... MAJOR CHALLENGES Shelters identified the following as their three major challenges • 70%Lack of government funding • 62%Gaps in services and supports for marginalized women • 62%Lack of supports when women leave shelters Shelter Voices is produced by the Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses, a coalition of 12 provincial and territorial shelter networks representing over 350 shelters across Canada. The network works as a unified voice to collaborate, educate, and innovate for systemic change that ends violence against women, making Canada a model for safety in the world. The CNWSTH thanks the Canadian Women’s Foundation and its partners as well as the National Union of Public and General Employees for their contributions to Shelter Voices. Printing provided by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Visit our website www.endvaw.caand find us at facebook.com/endvawnetwork VOICES FROM SHELTER WORKERS Shelter workers are well aware that in many instances, shelters are the only hope for women and their children in escaping abuse. Their capacity to help women makes their work very rewarding while the lack of resources, services, collaboration of legal, financial, social systems makes it exasperating. • “We do our best to help people at their worst. It is hard work. It is exhausting and rewarding, tragic and heart warming.” • “Seeing women growing strong, confident, and empowered is extremely rewarding.” • “The women and children we help often have no one else to help them... Shelters are their only hope for getting to safety.” • “The needs are not only increasing, they are also becoming more complex and challenging.” • “It is the most rewarding feeling when you see a child smiling.” WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? • Affordable and safe housing • Funding and supports for shelters • Financial security • Reversing the culture of violence • Accessible and responsive legal system
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