Violence against women: Montreal group looking for donations, volunteers

A Montreal organization that supports victims of intimate partner violence launched a donation and awareness campaign Tuesday in the lead-up to the holidays.

Until the end of December, donations to Shelter Movers (TSRM) will be matched – by partner CN – as part of the non-profit group’s “The Power in Every Move” campaign.

“Leaving is the most dangerous time for a survivor; 75 per cent of intimate partner homicides occur upon separation,” said survivor and activist Amy Kauffman.

The campaign is part of their 12 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women. Since its launch in 2020, Shelter Movers in the Montreal region has completed more than 700 moves for survivors in their transition to safety.

“You begin to lose freedom, so you begin to become isolated and controlled, and by the time you know it, sort of like a lobster in a pot of boiling water, you don’t know what’s happening until you’re already stuck,” said Kauffman.

Tuesday’s announcement came three days ahead of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which honours the victims and survivors of the Polytechnique Montréal massacre on Dec. 6, 1989.

Speaking at a press conference on the campaign, Anathalie Jean-Charles, Montreal chapter director of Shelter Movers, says more action is needed to end violence against women.

“This campaign basically raised the awareness that the work that we’re doing as an organization is not possible without the community,” she said. “We’re talking about one woman in five in Montreal who are experiencing gender-based violence. One in five is a lot.”

RELATED: Shelter Movers in Montreal looking for volunteers

Shelter Movers says 35 years later, and with femicides still occurring in Quebec, the group had “no choice but to sound the alarm.” It’s also hoping more volunteers will answer the call and lend a helping hand.

A 2022 study from the Université de Sherbrooke revealed that 17.5 per cent of women in Quebec report having experienced intimate violence.

“We hope that our appeal will be heard and that we will succeed in recruiting more volunteers and obtaining more donations to help twice as many families,” said Jean-Charles.

TSRM offers free moving and storage services to individuals and families fleeing violence. The NPO helps up to 22 families a month but hopes to help many more – targeting up to 50 families a month.

Kauffman says survivors have told her that at some shelters, waiting lists can last up to 18 months.

“All of these organizations mean really well, but they’re underfunded and understaffed, because this is a much bigger issue than we would like to admit,” Kauffman said.

“I felt I was able to stay safe, I was able to rebuild my life, and the average person leaving doesn’t have access to all of that. So there needs to be services, there needs to be access to justice. Victims are often left in the dark.”

Kauffman and Jean-Charles say more volunteers and donations are needed. Despite some government support, they hope more will be done.

“When people get to the point that the abuser is about to strangle them, it’s probable the next step is that they’ll probably be killed,” Jean-Charles said.

“(So) if you feel that you’re in a situation where you have been strangled already, be aware, because next time maybe you won’t be alive.”