Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters

I hope this doesn't backfire!

2019-02-04T10:29:00.002-06:00

I don't claim to know all the details in this Supreme Court decision but my first reaction is that we see how badly the courts treat victims and how they pander to the perpetrators claiming violations of the perpetrators rights.  What about the victims rights!  In the case of domestic violence, if the perpetrator does go to prison then they receive free medical and mental health care, free education, even TV's and access to the internet while being paid to sit in jail.  While the victim has to pay for her own mental health care, has to try to find a medical doctor and pay for travel and babysitting etc., to attend an appointment, the doctors do not come to the victim.  She has to pay for her accommodations, food and cover any bills that as a family are due, if she goes to a shelter and qualifies she may get a very small daily allowance, less that a couple of bucks.  So who is being punished?  How is this equitable?  Seriously, the courts really need to think before allowing perpetrators to walk away with no ramifications for committing a crime.  

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supreme-court-victims-surcharge-1.4946018

Could it have been prevented?

2019-01-28T16:14:00.000-06:00

I'd like to share a story with you. Several months ago my daughter called me while she was waiting for the police to take her statement. Nothing like getting THAT kind of call from your daughter who is a university student living away from home. She and a friend were walking their dogs at a dog park in Ottawa in the evening when they heard what sounded like a fight, and a female calling for help and saying "call police". My daughter dialed 911 on her cell phone and they waited, feeling scared and helpless. It was dark so they couldn't really see what was happening and quite frankly they were both too afraid to try to get physically involved, although they yelled that the police were called and on their way hoping that would scare the abuser. The police showed up and stopped the male who was assaulting a female. When my daughter asked the police about this incident, she was told that the two people were "regulars" often sleeping at the park and she got the impression that the police didn't seem overly concerned. My daughter was curious as the police didn't separate the two people or even talk to the women separately, she didn't hear them offer to take the women to a domestic violence shelter or even the hospital. Why?

Even if these two people were "regulars" and homeless, why was she, a victim not cared for. The women had her clothes partially ripped off of her and was being assaulted. Why was she not immediately taken to a hospital or domestic violence shelter if she wasn't hurt.

Unfortunately the story didn't end there, not long ago my daughter heard that this same women was missing, so my daughter and her friends started to watch for her in the area but have not seen her. Because she has been murdered.

Another mother, daughter, sister and friend, added to the missing and murdered women list.
I can't help but wonder that if the police had taken her to a shelter perhaps this women would be alive today. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/dwight-brown-murder-charge-1.4995317.

Domestic Violence and Politics

2017-08-23T09:34:00.001-05:00

Once again, public figures running for positions of power in the political arena with a questionable past are in the news. Check out CTV and CBC Winnipeg. Like shopping, its buyer beware but it is so difficult to know what you are buying, same situation when selecting a political leader. If they choose not to talk about a questionable past how would we ever know?

Well, sometimes history is voiced because survivors are starting to talk about their experiences. What many people do not understand is the courage and fortitude it takes for a survivor to speak out. So many feelings suppressed due to societal pressure and upbringing not to mention embarrassment and or fear for themselves, children, family and pets, creates a barrier for survivors to voice their experiences.

I want to acknowledge the survivors who are speaking out against family violence, good for you! You are my hero's.

We have much work to do to increase recognition of family violence as a crucial social issue and to create access to effective programs and services that support healing, accountability and healthy relationships.

We will continue this work.

2017-05-23T10:25:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to SHADE (Safe Housing And Directed Employerment) who have received charity status. SHADE's 2nd Annual General Meeting will be held on June 7th at 5 p.m., at New Journey Housing, 200-305 Broadway (above the Starbucks) for more information email shadeinc@mymts.net.

A Cabaret of Monologues in Steinbach

2017-02-23T14:44:00.002-06:00

Join us for a luncheon performance compliments of Agape House in Steinbach on March 9th.

Add caption

Brown Bag Lectures with Dr. Judith Hughes

2017-02-01T13:38:00.002-06:00

BROWN BAG LECTURES

Brown Bag Lectures are free and open to the public. All lectures take place from 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm, in Room 252, St Paul’s College.

UM Parking Information

Friday, February 3, 2017 Google Calendar
Finding Meaning in Our Response to Violence

Dr. Judy Hughes

The presentation begins with sharing findings from a research project that documents practices provided within women’s shelters. Interviews with these workers suggest that they provide women residents time to become comfortable, empower them to set their own goals and make their own decisions, and provide environments that are non-chaotic and violence free. Through the presentation, Dr. Hughes will describe how these responses to violence suggest a deeper meaning to the perpetration of violence that is often not considered in common definitions and notions.

Visit the Facebook event for more information.

The Power of PJs

2016-11-08T11:05:00.001-06:00

November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Help the shelters gather needed items for the women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. Please don't forget the male teens who need adult sizes when you are shopping!

16 Days of Activism - Join Genesis House in Winkler for these events!

2016-10-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

Friday November 4th, Genesis House presents "Under The Sea" a family dance at 7 pm in the Morden Friendship Centre. Admission is $5.00 per person or $20.00 per family. There will be a visit from a real live Mermaid, games, prizes and snacks.

Thursday December 1st, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at the Winkler Library. Join Genesis House and the Winkler Library for a "Milk and Cookies Pajama Party"

A free night of stories, crafts & snacks, for parents & kids!!

World Indigenous Say No to Domestic Violence Conference

2016-10-11T09:42:00.004-05:00

Trudy Lavallee, (2nd from left) Executive Director Ikwe Widdjiitiwin Winnipeg presented her paper, "A De-Colonizing Approach to Trauma, Healing & Resiliency in a Canadian Aboriginal Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Shelter" and was a keynote speaker at the conference. 3rd from left is Kim Fontaine Program Manager from Ikwe Widdjiitiwin. Congratulation Trudy and thank you for representing Canada at this conference.

Food for Shelter Campaign for Willow Place Shelter in Winnipeg

2016-04-08T16:49:00.002-05:00

Food for Shelter Campaign

The Food for Shelter Campaign is underway and you can help! April 1^st was the formal kick-off of the Royal LePage 3rd Annual Food for Shelter fundraiser. The food that is collected on behalf of the women and children who reside at Willow Place. 12,000 non-perishable food items is our goal for 2016. Goes without saying your help and support is needed. If interested, please contact the Food for Shelter committee members at the Royal LePage Top Producers’ office at 204-989-6900 or drop off at 6-1549 St. Mary’s Rd. We also have a Facebook page with more information at "Food for Shelter-Royal LePage Top Producers".

International Women's Day

2016-03-08T09:13:00.002-06:00

The real message of International Women's Day - a good reminder.
http://www.groundup.org.za/article/real-message-international-womens-day/

International Women's Day in Winkler, Genesis House

2016-02-09T11:23:00.000-06:00

Donations

2016-02-09T11:19:00.002-06:00

Manitoba shelters usually take donations of personal care items, new or gently used clothing for women and children as well as baby personal care items, formula, diapers and clothing. Each shelter has their own policies for accepting donations so it's important to call and enquire if what you have is something they can use or if they have the space to store it. On the MAWS website go to www.maws.mb.ca and look for "where can I go" to access contact information for the shelter closest to you. Please call the administration line not the crisis line for enquiries. Shelter funding often does not cover the expense of these items so donations are gratefully accepted.

4th Annual UnGALA in Portage la Prairie

2016-02-08T16:32:00.003-06:00

Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre supports the 4th Annual UnGALA in Portage la Prairie
Thursday, March 10 6:00-10:00pm Canad Inns PLUS keynote speaker Lindy Norris– Marketing Magazine’s 2013 Top 30 under 30 and recipient of the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal! Woman of Excellence & Young Woman of Excellence award presentations. An inspiring evening in celebration of International Women’s Day
Tickets on sale Jan. 25-Mar. 7 $25 Includes supper, entertainment & speaker
Contact the Chamber: 204-857-7778 info@portagechamber.com

Sarascati Productions presents Stolen SISTERS!

2016-02-08T16:23:00.003-06:00

Sarasvàti Productions presents their International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues
Stolen SISTERS!
Thursday, March 10-7 pm
Selkirk United Church 202 McLean Ave
Enjoy an evening of engaging entertainment and delicious desserts
Hosted by Nova House Inc. In support of the new shelter Tickets: $15
Available at: Selkirk United Church, Twice Over at 214 Manitoba Ave. Selkirk or
Nova House - call Anna or Tracy 204-482-7882

MAWS Giving Tuesday

2015-12-01T10:57:00.001-06:00

GivingTuesday is a National Giving Day

Most people know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday …now GivingTuesday is coming to Canada on December 1, 2015.
It is a new Canadian movement for giving and volunteering, taking place each year after Cyber Monday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it is a day where charities, companies and individuals join together to share commitments, rally for favourite causes and think about others. Please spread the word and visit http://givingtuesday.ca/partners/manitoba-association-of-womens-shelters-maws#.Vl3RVraFPIV to donate to MAWS. For today only, if you use PayPal, they will also donate a percentage to MAWS. We all win!

Donations Needed for Willow Place

2015-09-25T16:18:00.001-05:00

DONATIONS NEEDED! Willow Place Shelter is the new provincially funded large shelter in Winnipeg and they need donations. If you have necessities like toothpaste and brushes, sanitary products, hair products, pajamas, underwear, socks for all ages, baby products etc. Please call 204-615-0313 to donate. Thank you!

Up for Debate - Interviews tonight

2015-09-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

Subject: Up for Debate event tonight / Place au debat . evenement ce soir

Event to launch leader’s interviews

Summary

A national conversation on women’s issues will be broadcast live from Toronto’s Isabel Bader theatre on Monday, Sept 21.

Up For Debate’s free event starts at 7:00pm and will feature a lineup of commentators and pundits analyzing and debating clips from exclusive one-on-one video interviews with four of the five federal party leaders. The four full 30 minute interviews will be released throughout the week following the event.

The interviews - focused on ending violence against women, ending women’s economic inequality and supporting women’s leadership - were conducted by well-known journalist and documentary filmmaker Francine Pelletier.

Emcee for the evening Jess Beaulieu – a Toronto based feminist comedian and writer, will be joined on stage by an issue panel of experts and academics including Kate McInturff, Senior Researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Alejandra Bravo, Manager of Leadership and Learning at the Maytree Foundation, Katherine Hensel, founder and principal lawyer at Hensel Barristers and Angela Robertson, Executive Director of Central Toronto Community Health Centres.

The event will also feature a media panel discussing the implications of this conversation on the election. Panelists include Althia Raj of the Huffington Post Canada, Laura Payton from Macleans, Laurie Monsabraaten of the Toronto Star, and Anna Mehler Paperny from Global News.

The show will be livestreamed on thestar.com in English and ledevoir.com in French. It will also be Periscoped by Twitter.

Invitation to the MAWS Annual General Meeting

2015-09-02T16:08:00.003-05:00

The AGM for MAWS will be held on September 16th at 11:30am in the Windsor Room at the Viscount Gort Hotel on 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. A catered lunch will follow the business meeting so if you are planning on attending please RSVP Deena at deenacoordinator@maws.mb.ca by September 9th.

Sheltersafe.ca

2015-06-18T15:14:00.001-05:00

The Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transitions Houses (CNWSTH) has launched Sheltersafe.ca. This website is on online map of women's shelters across Canada, providing an easy cell phone friendly way to find a shelter closest to you.

Thank you Winnipeg MP Joy Smith

2015-02-17T11:04:00.000-06:00

Thank you MP Joy Smith for taking a stand on the movie release of 50 Shades of Grey. As much as I dislike contributing to the media storm about this movie, I think it's important that people really think about what they watch. Movies like this can support negative messages about what are healthy relationships and sexuality, and influence people who may be susceptible to the confusing messaging. Please listen to Winnipeg MP Joy Smith and support the survivors of family violence by donating to MAWS, that's something you can feel good about.

New Shelter Announced for Selkirk MB

2015-01-14T10:09:00.003-06:00

News Release
January 8, 2015

NEW SELKIRK SHELTER TO HELP WOMEN, CHILDREN AFFECTED BY FAMILY VIOLENCE:

MINISTER IRVIN-ROSS
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Project a Partnership between Manitoba Government, City of Selkirk, Nova House Inc. and Local Citizens

SELKIRK-Women and children affected by family violence in the Selkirk area will have access to a new shelter thanks to a partnership with the Manitoba government, City of Selkirk, Nova House Inc. and local citizens, Housing and Community Development and Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced here today.

"Community organizations such as Nova House perform specialized and important work to help women and children affected by family violence," said Minister Irvin-Ross. "Through Manitoba Housing and Community Development, we are committing $1 million to Nova House to help women and children affected by violence in Selkirk rebuild their lives in their own community."

Nova House has launched a campaign to raise $1 million, supported by a $500,000 private donation from the Jim and Betty Anne Gaynor family and a contribution of land, valued at $300,000, from the City of Selkirk.

Nova House provides facilities, programs and services in the Interlake and North Eastman regions to protect and empower women and children against domestic violence. Nova House currently manages shelter accommodations in Selkirk and will provide programming and support for the women and children in the new facility.

"The board of directors and staff of Nova House would like to thank everyone involved in making a new shelter a reality," said Anna Pazdzierski, executive director. "We look forward to continuing to make a difference in our communities with this new, expanded service for victims of violence."

"The City of Selkirk is very proud to have a leadership role in helping make a new regional Nova House women's shelter in Selkirk possible," said Mayor Larry Johannson. "Along with the Jim and Betty Anne Gaynor family and all citizens of Selkirk, we understand clearly this new facility will have a profound and positive benefit for Manitoba families breaking the cycle of domestic violence."

In 2014-15, the Manitoba government provided an additional $687,000 for 35 community-based agencies that operate 37 programs dealing with family violence. Since 1999, funding for a comprehensive range of services has increased by over 190 per cent and now totals nearly $13 million per year.

"This announcement complements Budget 2014, a plan to create good jobs, grow the economy and protect front-line services by focusing on what matters most to Manitoba families," Finance Minister Greg Dewar said. "The continued growth of communities depends on building healthier neighbourhoods for Manitoba families."

More information on Manitoba Housing and Community Development's long-term strategy Strong Communities - An Action Plan is available at www.gov.mb.ca/housing/.

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Lets Talk About Famly Violence by Klinic

2014-12-03T10:25:00.001-06:00

Klinic Community Health Centre launched a new 20 minute video "Lets Talk About Family Violence" Please follow the link to view. http://klinic.mb.ca/VideoLaunch.htm

A Parent's Guide to Vaccination - updated

2014-12-03T09:59:00.003-06:00

Updated information on "A Parents Guide to Vaccination" http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iyc-vve/pgi-gpv/index-eng.php

Toronto Globe and Mail article in light of the celebrity domestic violence in the news

2014-11-12T09:13:00.003-06:00

Comments in the following link by Lise Martin, Executive Director of the Canadian Network of Women's Shelters and Transition Houses.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/will-the-dialogue-about-abuse-translate-to-financial-support/article21526491/