Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)

06/21/2026

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and June is Indigenous History Month, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the cultures, traditions, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island.

At ACWS, we acknowledge the resilience, knowledge, and leadership of Indigenous communities. We also recognize that the impacts of colonialism continue to affect Indigenous individuals, families, and communities today.

Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility. We remain committed to listening, learning, and working alongside Indigenous Peoples in support of safety, healing, and stronger communities.

06/18/2026

We have issued a statement in support of the federal government's Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, recognizing the importance of survivor safety in bail and sentencing decisions.

Read our full statement below:

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) applauds the federal government’s efforts to strengthen Canada’s bail system and improve protections for victims of crime through the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act.

Bail decisions have significant real-world impacts on survivor safety. For many survivors of gender-based violence, the period immediately following police involvement can be extremely dangerous if the abuser continues to have access to the survivor or their family.

“As someone who spent more than 15 years working in Alberta’s justice system, I have seen firsthand the fear victims experience when high-risk accused persons are released back into the community,” said Cat Champagne, Executive Director of ACWS. “Sentencing and bail decisions can have significant consequences for survivors and their families. That is why we are so heartened to see the federal government taking this step to keep survivors safe.”

Survivors often experience escalating patterns of abuse, coercive control, intimidation, and repeated breaches of legal conditions. Bail conditions are only helpful if we consider these risks seriously and enforce real consequences for breaches. This is why we fully support the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which requires greater consideration of an accused person’s history of violence, outstanding charges, and patterns of repeat offending when making bail decisions.

Justice system reforms alone will not end gender-based violence. Survivors also need reliable access to emergency shelter, affordable housing and transportation, legal supports, counselling, and other community-based services that allow them to leave violence. Both approaches are necessary for survivors to experience true safety, security, and healing.

ACWS will continue advocating for a justice system that balances the rights of the accused with the safety of victims, children, and communities, while ensuring survivors remain at the centre of decision-making.

06/16/2026

Only a few days remain to submit your proposal for the 2026 Leading Change Summit: The Ripple Effect.

We're looking for interactive workshops, panels, and knowledge-sharing sessions that bring forward community voices, promising practices, and real-world experience supporting survivors of violence.

If you have insights to share on culturally responsive services, Indigenous-led approaches, newcomer and ethnocultural communities, or building stronger systems of support, we want to hear from you.

The Call for Proposals closes June 19.

Submit your proposal through our website: https://acws.ca/leading-change-summit/

06/15/2026

Elder abuse can happen to anyone, and no one should have to face it alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, support is available. ACWS member shelters in Edmonton and Calgary offer specialized services for older adults experiencing abuse, and the Unison Elder Abuse Shelter Crisis Line is available for support and guidance.

📞 Unison Elder Abuse Shelter Crisis Line (Available 24/7): 403-705-3250
📞 Sage Seniors Safe House 780-702-1520

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported at every stage of life.

06/15/2026

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This day recognizes elder abuse as both a public health and human rights issue and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness, share resources, and encourage conversations about the safety and well-being of older adults.

Elder abuse can affect anyone and may take many forms, including emotional, financial, physical, or neglect. By increasing awareness and supporting older adults in our communities, we can help promote dignity, respect, and safety for seniors.

If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, support is available. Find a member shelter near you at acws.ca/shelters.

06/12/2026

We ask the Alberta Government to do the following:

1. Delay implementation to the 2027-2028 year.

These cuts were announced mid-fiscal year with no transition period. A one-year delay would allow shelters to responsibly adjust operations, pursue alternate funding, and minimize harm to the women and children who are depending on them.

2.Release the methodology behind the new funding model.

Shelters participated in consultations about a potential grant renewal, but the formula, the weighting, and final calculations have never been shared. If this model is evidence-based and objective, it should be able to withstand scrutiny. Communities deserve to understand why services are being reduced.

Add your voice. Your MLA needs to hear from you. Use the letter on our website to contact them directly and ask them to advocate to Minister Turton for a delay and greater transparency:

https://acws.ca/protect-womens-shelters/

06/11/2026

As millions of people gather to watch one of the world's biggest sporting tournaments, it's important to remember that family violence often increases during major sporting events.

No single event causes violence. However, periods of heightened stress, increased alcohol consumption, gambling, and intensified emotions can worsen existing patterns of abuse.

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone you know, support is available. Find a shelter near you at acws.ca/shelters.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter what is happening on the field.

06/11/2026

Leaving an abusive relationship is never simple. In rural Alberta, the challenges can be even greater.

For many women, safety may be hours away. Limited transportation options, rising fuel costs, caring for children, concerns about pets, and responsibilities for livestock or farm operations can all create additional barriers to leaving.

Despite these unique realities and the growing need for support, the Alberta government has announced funding cuts that will impact several rural shelters.

We are calling on Albertans to speak up.

We need the government to delay these funding cuts and provide full public disclosure of the funding model methodology used to make these decisions.

Writing a letter to your MLA takes just a few minutes. We've made it easy with a form on our website.

Your voice matters. Please take action today: https://acws.ca/protect-womens-shelters/

06/10/2026

This is why it matters. Please keep this issue top of mind, and submit a letter to your MLA at https://acws.ca/protect-womens-shelters/.

Thank you to Cindy Easton from Mountain Rose Women's Shelter in Rocky Mountain House for adding your voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcwBUCvqRQs

Women escaping domestic violence could soon have a tougher time acc...