North York Women's Shelter's Rachel Morrison on the state of domestic violence in Canada and how you can help

Just because you might not see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Every five minutes, a woman in Canada experiences intimate partner violence. And, more than two in five women experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

All women and their families should have access to the care and support they need to be healthy and safe.

That’s where Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health and its annual Giving Shelter fundraising campaign can help.

From Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, all Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores nationwide will be raising funds and awareness in support of over 300 local women’s shelters and programs across the country.

North York Women’s Shelter

Shoppers Foundation

One such organization is North York Women’s Shelter (NYWS), which primarily provides emergency crisis shelter to women, trans, and non-binary survivors of gender-based violence, along with their children and pets. As Senior Manager of Fund Development, Rachel Morrison explains that intimate partner violence can happen in many different ways.

“Some people experience psychological abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Some may experience stalking and harassment, including cyber-stalking. Some experience financial control and abuse, and then others experience physical and sexual violence, which is what often comes to mind when we think of intimate partner violence.”

Providing shelter to survivors is just the beginning. NYWS also has a transitional program, food program, safety planning, and a 24-hour crisis line, along with a large range of other support programs that help survivors emotionally and socially recover from what they’ve been through.

A high demand for services

NYWS has been in operation for 42 years and is always operating at capacity. When a family moves out, the next person who calls and needs help moves right in. Last year, 132 survivors who called and requested services had to be turned away.

“Demand remains very high,” says Morrison. “Intimate partner violence is a very real risk, especially in this day and age, where we’re seeing lots of misogyny being spread online and by people in power. It’s everywhere.”

What helps shelters like NYWS continue and expand operations is funding, but as the old saying goes, money doesn’t grow on trees.

“People expect that a shelter is fully government-funded, and that’s sadly not the case,” explains Morrison. “We get about two-thirds of our annual operating budget from government support, and the other third we have to fundraise from the community and generous donors such as those who give to Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health.”

Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health Giving Shelter campaign

Shoppers Foundation

Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health has been supporting NYWS since 2001. One tangible result of this support is a new purpose-built shelter facility that NYWS opened in 2020.

“Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, and especially the Giving Shelter campaign, has really helped us fill the gap in our operating expenses year after year. It enables us to continue our vital work of answering those crisis calls, supporting families at risk, and offering shelter, food, and all the support survivors need as they get back on their feet and look forward to a safer future.”

How you can make a difference

From Sept. 12 to Oct. 9, when you visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart or Pharmaprix store, round up your purchase total at checkout, and help women break free from abuse. 100 per cent of donations raised help support more than 300 local women’s shelters and programs.

Make your impact go further from Sept. 25 to 27, when Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health will be matching all funds raised in-store via round up, up to $150,000.

“A lot of people want to make a difference and don’t know where to direct that energy,” says Morrison. “Rounding up is a small act, but when everybody gets involved, it can create an amazing impact for shelters like ours. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home, so for anyone who gets involved with the campaign, on behalf of North York Women’s Shelter, a massive thank you.”