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Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)

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Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)

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ACWS works for a world free from violence and abuse Please note that ACWS does not provide on-line support.

This page is designed for resource purposes only. If you need to speak with someone at a shelter near you, call our toll free line at 1-866-331-3933

11/10/2026

Across Alberta, shelter workers are there every day for people experiencing family violence, often during some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives.

They answer crisis calls, welcome people into shelter, connect survivors with resources, support children and families, help navigate complex systems, and provide a listening ear when someone needs it most.

The work looks different in every community, but it shares a common purpose: helping people find safety, support and a path forward.

During Family Violence Prevention Month, we want to recognize the dedicated people doing this work in communities across our province.

To Alberta’s shelter workers: thank you for everything you do.

Find a shelter near you: https://acws.ca/shelters/

11/10/2026

While we celebrate the additional $607.4 million investment in the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV), we also recognize the immense work left to do.

Given that work and the rise in femicide rates, increased wait lists for services, overcapacity at shelters and perpetrators’ misuse of new technology, over 200 GBV organizations issued a joint statement today with a list of recommendations for the next phase of the National Action Plan:
• Full accountability and transparency
• Predictable, multi-year funding
• True consultation with survivors and GBV organizations
• Greater focus on national opportunities to address GBV

Read the full statement at the link in our bio.

Interested in endorsing our call? Organizations can continue to sign on here: https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s.aspx?co=b9BPRDWr

11/09/2026

Four years ago today, on November 9, 2022, the Government of Canada formally announced the 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

In Budget 2026, $607.4 million, first announced in July, is included to continue that Plan.

The GBV sector has advocated for the continuation of both the funding and the plan over recent years. We are excited to see not only this renewal, but also the increase in funding from the first phase of implementation. This speaks to both the federal government's commitment to addressing GBV and the power of collective advocacy.

Thank you, Government of Canada!

11/05/2026

Yesterday was an important day for ACWS as we officially released The Cost of Leaving: The 2024–2026 ACWS Shelter Impact Report.

This report represents two years of data, research, and collaboration with our member shelters across Alberta, and its findings tell a difficult but important story.

As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the cost of leaving an abusive relationship. Survivors are facing greater barriers to safety, experiencing high levels of danger, and staying in shelters longer as affordable housing becomes increasingly difficult to find. Every statistic is a real person who deserves safety.

A sincere thank you to the media, elected officials, community partners, and supporters who joined us for today's launch. Your presence and willingness to engage in these important conversations help bring greater attention to the challenges survivors and shelters are facing across Alberta.

We're also incredibly grateful to the shelters, frontline workers, and survivors whose experiences helped inform this report.

We hope these findings spark meaningful conversations, strengthen advocacy, and lead to real change for survivors across Alberta.

Read the full report at acws.ca/cost-of-leaving.

11/04/2026

What happens when someone needs to leave an abusive relationship, but can't afford to?

Today, we're releasing The Cost of Leaving: The 2024–2026 ACWS Shelter Impact Report, and its findings reveal a concerning reality for survivors of family violence across Alberta.

As the cost of housing, food and other basic necessities continues to rise, survivors are facing greater financial barriers to finding safety.

Our report shows that survivors are experiencing high levels of abuse and danger, staying in shelters longer, and facing increasing challenges in accessing the support they need.

In 2025–2026, just 18% of calls requesting shelter admission resulted in an adult being admitted to a shelter program.

Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a need for safety.

These findings reinforce the urgent need for affordable housing, accessible financial assistance and sustainable support for Alberta's family violence shelters.

Swipe through to see some of the key findings, and read the full report at acws.ca/cost-of-leaving.

11/04/2026

Sometimes there are visible signs that someone is experiencing family violence. Often, there aren’t.

You might notice that someone has become more withdrawn or isolated. They may stop doing things they used to enjoy, have injuries they can’t or don’t want to explain, or turn to harmful substances as a way of coping.

One sign on its own doesn’t necessarily mean someone is experiencing abuse. But knowing what to look for can help us notice when someone we care about may need support.

Pay attention. Stay connected. And make sure the people in your life know they have someone they can talk to without judgment.

11/01/2026

November is Family Violence Prevention Month.

When people hear the words “family violence,” physical violence may be the first thing that comes to mind. But abuse can take many forms, and not all of them leave visible injuries.

It can look like controlling someone’s money, isolating them from the people they love, monitoring where they go, threatening or humiliating them, withholding necessities, or repeatedly contacting or following them.

Understanding the different ways abuse can show up can help us recognize it sooner — in our own lives and in the lives of people we care about.

Family violence is more than physical. And every form of abuse deserves to be taken seriously.

10/30/2026

We're always excited for opportunities to share the work happening at ACWS!

Recently, our team members Miranda and Tosha presented at the 2026 Hull Services Pathways to Prevention Conference, introducing attendees to HUGG (Healing, Understanding, and Growth, Guide).

Developed by ACWS researchers, HUGG is a case management and outcome measurement tool designed to help service providers better support domestic abuse survivors on their paths toward healing.

10/29/2026

Last week, shelter directors from across Alberta came together in Medicine Hat to tour the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, learn more about their work and connect with fellow leaders in the shelter sector.

A big thank you to the Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society for welcoming us and sharing your space with our group!

We're grateful for every opportunity to come together, share knowledge and strengthen the connections that support our work across Alberta.

10/27/2026

It's been a busy year for HUGG, and we're excited to share some of the progress we've made so far! 💜

Developed by researchers at ACWS, HUGG (Healing, Understanding, and Growth, Guide) is a case management and outcome measurement tool designed to help service providers better support domestic abuse survivors on their paths toward healing.

This year, our team has been travelling across Alberta and Saskatchewan, working alongside service providers to bring HUGG into their everyday practice.

We're proud of the progress we've made, the connections we've built and the opportunities ahead as we continue strengthening survivor-centred support.

Address

Alberta

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.acws.ca/

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