SOS domestic violence: half of women in distress have no place to take refuge
Half of the women who call SOS violence conjugale to seek refuge from a violent man cannot currently find a place in shelters in Quebec. Normally, SOS violence conjugale does not find a place for approximately 30% to 35% of women who apply for accommodation. But the sharp increase in calls since the curfew, in particular, has increased this rate to 50%.
When women make this kind of urgent request, “it is most likely because, there, they feel that the danger is present, either for them, or for their children”, explains Claudine Thibaudeau, of SOS violence conjugale.
After a pandemic year 2021 where 26 women were murdered in Quebec – a peak since 2008 – the lack of places in shelters at the start of 2022 makes SOS violence conjugale fear the worst.
"For us, it's our fear: each time we say no [to a request for accommodation], we always have a little back thought, saying to ourselves: "is this going to be the time he goes there? happen a feminicide?” says Ms. Thibaudeau.
"When you have a request for accommodation, you should always be able to say yes," she adds.
Sharp increase in calls since curfewIn Quebec, SOS violence conjugale is often the gateway to support services for women struggling with a violent man.
In 2021, the organization received an average of 112 calls per day. Since the start of 2022 — and the entry into force of the curfew on December 31 — calls have jumped to 184 per day.
While it is difficult to establish a causal link between this sharp increase and the curfew, Ms. Thibaudeau points out that this measure can further constrain women stuck with violent men.
"The more health measures there are that limit the opportunities [of flight] for victims, the more it risks escalating violence," she said.
SOS violence reminds that, despite the curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., women who want to escape domestic violence should never hesitate to leave their homes, regardless of the time.
"On the verge of a service failure"Many Quebec shelters were already close to an occupancy rate of 100% in 2021, indicates Manon Monastesse, director general of the Federation of shelters for women.
The current rise in shelters requires "a plan B and a plan C," says Manon Monastesse, executive director of the Federation of women's shelters.
For example, women struggling with a violent man must move to shelters in other areas
or stay in the living room of a house that is already full.
"We don't want to send the message that we shouldn't call because there's no room, but it's still a major challenge," says Ms. Monastesse.
In addition to coping with the increase in requests for accommodation, shelters that take in women who are victims of domestic violence also have to deal with a shortage of staff.
“There, the problem is really the Omicron variant, says Manon Monastesse. The contagion rate is exponential, even in our teams.
A bit everywhere in Quebec, for example, houses that rely on teams of 15 to 20 people are deprived of half of their employees because of the virus, notes Ms. Monastesse.
This lack of staff increases the pressure on shelters. "There, really, all the houses are on the verge of a service failure," says Manon Monastesse.
The Federation of Women's Shelters was due to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Health and Human Services late Monday afternoon to discuss ways to avoid the disruption of service.
The Federation will plead in particular to obtain more screening tests for COVID-19.
“If we cannot ensure our mandate, it is obvious that it will put women, children, in situations of extreme danger, says Manon Monastesse. And we especially do not want to relive the wave of feminicides that we have known.
***
Victims of domestic violence can contact SOS Violence conjugale at 1 800 363-9010 or visit https://sosviolenceconjugale.ca/fr
When women make this kind of urgent request, “it is most likely because, there, they feel that the danger is present, either for them, or for their children”, explains Claudine Thibaudeau, of SOS violence conjugale.
After a pandemic year 2021 where 26 women were murdered in Quebec – a peak since 2008 – the lack of places in shelters at the start of 2022 makes SOS violence conjugale fear the worst.
"For us, it's our fear: each time we say no [to a request for accommodation], we always have a little back thought, saying to ourselves: "is this going to be the time he goes there? happen a feminicide?” says Ms. Thibaudeau.
"When you have a request for accommodation, you should always be able to say yes," she adds.
Sharp increase in calls since curfewIn Quebec, SOS violence conjugale is often the gateway to support services for women struggling with a violent man.
In 2021, the organization received an average of 112 calls per day. Since the start of 2022 — and the entry into force of the curfew on December 31 — calls have jumped to 184 per day.
While it is difficult to establish a causal link between this sharp increase and the curfew, Ms. Thibaudeau points out that this measure can further constrain women stuck with violent men.
"The more health measures there are that limit the opportunities [of flight] for victims, the more it risks escalating violence," she said.
SOS violence reminds that, despite the curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., women who want to escape domestic violence should never hesitate to leave their homes, regardless of the time.
"On the verge of a service failure"Many Quebec shelters were already close to an occupancy rate of 100% in 2021, indicates Manon Monastesse, director general of the Federation of shelters for women.
The current rise in shelters requires "a plan B and a plan C," says Manon Monastesse, executive director of the Federation of women's shelters.
For example, women struggling with a violent man must move to shelters in other areas
or stay in the living room of a house that is already full.
"We don't want to send the message that we shouldn't call because there's no room, but it's still a major challenge," says Ms. Monastesse.
In addition to coping with the increase in requests for accommodation, shelters that take in women who are victims of domestic violence also have to deal with a shortage of staff.
“There, the problem is really the Omicron variant, says Manon Monastesse. The contagion rate is exponential, even in our teams.
A bit everywhere in Quebec, for example, houses that rely on teams of 15 to 20 people are deprived of half of their employees because of the virus, notes Ms. Monastesse.
This lack of staff increases the pressure on shelters. "There, really, all the houses are on the verge of a service failure," says Manon Monastesse.
The Federation of Women's Shelters was due to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Health and Human Services late Monday afternoon to discuss ways to avoid the disruption of service.
The Federation will plead in particular to obtain more screening tests for COVID-19.
“If we cannot ensure our mandate, it is obvious that it will put women, children, in situations of extreme danger, says Manon Monastesse. And we especially do not want to relive the wave of feminicides that we have known.
***
Victims of domestic violence can contact SOS Violence conjugale at 1 800 363-9010 or visit https://sosviolenceconjugale.ca/fr
MARC ALLARD
The sun
https://www.lesoleil.com/2022/01/10/sos-violence-conjugale-la-moitie-des-femmes-en-detresse-nont-pas-de-place-pour-se-refugier-e1c5920852825ccfc94db8fe96279d66?utm_source=omerlo&utm_medium=mailer&utm_campaign=Le+r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9+du+soir+%3A+le+Carnaval+de+Qu%C3%A9bec+r%C3%A9siste+%C3%A0+Omicron
The sun
https://www.lesoleil.com/2022/01/10/sos-violence-conjugale-la-moitie-des-femmes-en-detresse-nont-pas-de-place-pour-se-refugier-e1c5920852825ccfc94db8fe96279d66?utm_source=omerlo&utm_medium=mailer&utm_campaign=Le+r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9+du+soir+%3A+le+Carnaval+de+Qu%C3%A9bec+r%C3%A9siste+%C3%A0+Omicron
