'Over 25,000 women and children in Alberta were turned away from overcrowded shelters last year.' - James Clancy, National President of NUPGE
Edmonton (5 Sep. 2008) - Delegates from more than 50 countries will gather in Edmonton on Monday to take part in the world’s first conference on shelter workers.
Jan Reimer, who heads the Alberta Council for Women’s Shelter, says more than 750 shelter workers will be participating in the historic event.
"This is really the first time in history that shelter workers will be able to meet in one place, to really network, to support one another and to call for an end to the global epidemic of violence against women," Reimer says.
She notes that Alberta leads all other Canadian provinces in the number of domestic violence reports, including murder-suicide and stalking. As a result the women’s shelter system in Alberta has become badly strained.
"It’s not rocket science. If women are forced to leave their homes where are they going to go?" she asks. "If they’ve been abused and they’ve been traumatized it’s very difficult to find housing.”
James Clancy, the president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), says the Alberta government has all but forgotten homeless women. He urges politicians to step in and take action to deal with the crisis.
“The situation in Alberta is particularly worrisome," Clancy says.
"Over 25,000 women and children in Alberta were turned away from overcrowded shelters last year. And that number is actually increasing. When that happens they end up on the street. The lack of shelters and affordable housing is really a form of institutional abuse.”
A new secretariat designed to focus on related issues was promised by the Alberta government last fall but the emphasis is on housing for men. NUPGE
More information:
Jan Reimer, Alberta Council for Women’s Shelter: 780-456-7000
James Clancy, President, NUPGE 613-228-9800
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