Free moving and storage services for survivors of violence in Winnipeg – Winnipeg Free Press

Manitoba will soon host the first chapter of Shelter Movers, an organization that provides free moving and storage services to people fleeing violence.

The group currently has centers in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.

Founder and CEO Marc Hull-Jacquin said the decision to open in Winnipeg is based on data showing “clear” violence against women in the city.

A report from Statistics Canada shows that Saskatchewan and Manitoba had the highest rates of intimate partner violence in 2022. In Manitoba there were 633 victims per 100,000 people and in Saskatchewan it was 730.

The same data shows that the majority of victims of intimate partner violence are women and girls.

“Our goal is to reduce violence against all people, and especially violence against women,” Hull-Jacquin said.

“In the absence of shelter relocation workers, survivors face the prospect of losing everything they own when they leave the shelter. Or worse, they often will not leave and will remain in an abusive relationship because of the risk of… running away.”

The volunteer-based organization works with survivors of violence and local shelters to develop a plan to move the individual out of an abusive home. Before sending a team of two to four volunteers, they assess the level of risk, the urgency of the move and the number of items that need to be moved.

Moves are typically limited to five hours, including packing and driving time, so Shelter Movers can serve clients who live no more than approximately 90 minutes outside Winnipeg city limits.

The coordinator helps to involve the police, private security or language interpreters if necessary.

“Survivors are the heroes of their own story,” Hull-Jacquin said. “Our staff and volunteers are honored to join them for a short, small piece of a much longer experience.”

There is no limit to how long an organization can hold a person’s belongings, and Hull-Jacquin said she expects to help her clients move more than once — often to first take them to a shelter and then help transfer them to another shelter. a more permanent home in the community when they are ready.

The moves are free thanks to donations, and part of the start-up costs are covered by funds provided by Women and Gender Equality Canada, a federal government department.

“Shelter Movers provide a degree of empowerment and control over their movement,” Hull-Jacquin said. “Victims have the right to leave their perpetrator in dignity and safety.”

Shelter Movers will initially work with Willow Place and Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, both domestic violence shelters.

Hull-Jacquin said once the Winnipeg chapter gets established and grows its volunteer base, it will be able to reliably serve more shelters.

Marcie Wood stated that she believed the Shelter Movers service would benefit her clients. Although Willow Place’s executive director has not yet met with anyone from the organization, she says they have been in contact.

Wood said there are now many options for financial support for women trying to move out of violent households.

“However, there are many barriers to obtaining this financial support,” Wood said. “(Shelter Movers) will be able to provide an expedited moving service with much lower barriers.”

Survivors must obtain three quotes for moving or storage services before Willow Place can submit them to the Employment and Income Service on the client’s behalf.

This process consists of many “layers” and can take a long time. Speed ​​is key to keeping women safe, Wood said.

She added that it is important to collaborate with other organizations that understand a person’s situation and that work with trauma-informed care.

“If (survivors) are able to get their things back instead of starting over … that would be a comfort that many would prefer to have,” Wood said. “Knowing they have a place in the community to support them helps a lot.”

To provide reliable services, the new chapter needs 40 to 50 volunteers and a chapter director, Hull-Jacquin said. As a result, we hope to open this fall, but there is no set date yet.

Due to the increased risk of gender-based violence against Indigenous women across Canada, Hull-Jacquin said it is important to make meaningful connections with community leaders to honor the memory of survivors.

“The more and better quality relationships we can support, the better we will be able to support survivors – not just Indigenous women, but all women,” Hull-Jacquin said.

Shelter Movers is seeking branch director candidates who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis for a full-time position.

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