VICTIMS MORE THAN A SHELTER PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE WOMEN

ABUSE IS RARE IN CANADA

TIC Taking A Stand Against Family Violence AND Abuse CALGA

HOPE 19,000 DOMESTIC COURT SUPPORT PROGRAM LACK OF SPACE COMMUNITY COUNSELLING CHILDREN AND RELATIONSHIP ability to change them PREVENTION CULTURE

FAMILY VIOLENCE

decreased physical, emotional

POLICE Dispelling Myths

TRUST

Family violence AND abuse doesn’t LEGAL Misconceptions TRUTH

Violence and abuse don’t affect childreN AND

HOPE men’s couns HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS PROGRAM EDUCATION CULTURE

HELPLINE

Children’s Program

more than 30 calls a day

est way to help ABUSED JUDGEMENTAL

SAFETY

EMERGENCY SHELTER 74% of Albertans report

Children are impacted by abuse

2015-2016 REPORT TO COMMUNITY 2015-2016

table

of

contents TAKING A STAND AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE AND ABUSE Over 180,000 lives changed since 1974.

3 4 12 13 14 16 24



Executive Director and President’s Message Myths/Programs and Services Event Highlights

Volunteer Program and Board of Directors Treasurer’s Report

Funders, Donors, Sponsors and Supporters Contact Us

calgary women’s emergency shelter

Family violence and abuse continues to be an issue in our city and the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter is on the front lines to provide hope and support to vulnerable members of our community.

Executive Director President’s Message and

Even though the Emergency Shelter is the cornerstone of our agency, we are “More than a Shelter” , serving individuals and families though a number of innovative safety, healing and prevention programs. Whether it is a teenager learning what makes a strong, healthy relationship; someone deciding to call the 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline for the first time; or a man choosing to change his abusive behaviours, all our efforts are directed at creating safety in our community and providing much needed support, services and information aimed at ending violence and abuse. The conversation about family violence and abuse in our society is full of myths that lead to biased and negative misconceptions, unrelated to the reality of this serious issue. That is why we believe it is important to refute some myths in our 2015-2016 Report to Community—in order to start a helpful conversation to better understand the facts and complexities about family violence and abuse, and to learn how it affects victims and what can be done to help prevent it. By dispelling myths, we can all Take a Stand and be involved in supporting individuals and families in their efforts to live free from family violence and abuse.

This past year has been a time of growth for our agency and we cannot do the work we do without the support of the community. This upcoming year will be another difficult one for Albertans, given the economic climate and the challenges that it brings. The generosity of time and resources from countless individuals, companies and funders allows us to serve our clients through the programs and services we offer. Through both challenging and prosperous years, the Calgary community has supported the work of our agency and for this we are very grateful. Thank you for helping us support women, children, youth and men in our community, build safe lives and healthy relationships.

Kim Ruse Executive Director Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter Rob Carpenter President Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter

2015-2016

REPORT TO COMMUNITY



myth

Only certain kinds of people become victims – it doesn’t happen to just anyone.

Family violence and abuse has no boundaries. Victims come from all walks of life, all cultures, all educational backgrounds, al