Too broke to leave: Alberta domestic abuse victims trapped by rising cost of living

Alberta's domestic abuse shelters report that victims are trapped by the rising cost of living, despite a decrease in the number of people seeking help. Cat Champagne, executive director of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, says the housing crisis is making it difficult for survivors to flee abusive relationships. The report, released Wednesday, highlights that many shelters have fewer people accessing their services compared to 2023-24.

Miranda Pilipchuk, research and evaluation manager at ACWS, explains that the growing cost of starting over, such as rent, deposits, and setting up a household, makes it challenging for survivors to find safety and remain housed. The average woman takes seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship, and financial abuse is a significant factor, with some survivors never having access to a bank account or facing economic manipulation from their abusers.

In response to the shelter impact report, the ACWS is recommending measures to facilitate survivors' safe reintegration, such as priority housing access, assistance with rent and deposits, and faster financial support. However, barriers to accessing existing supports, like the province's income support system, can hinder the process.

The council is also advocating for easier and faster access to these supports with fewer administrative hurdles.