Candace Thomson/NNSL photo
Five family violence shelters in the NWT and the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS), are trying to end the cycle of violence that reverberates through generations, states a news release from the group, collectively referred to as the NWT Family Violence Shelter Network.
The group is launching an awareness campaign to remind victims that shelters can provide them with the help they need.
The services they offer include a "safe places for women and their children to stay, safety planning, crisis management, emotional support, information and referrals," states the release.
The campaign launches today with a series of promotional initiatives to reach women in need of support.
The five women’s shelters involed are the Alison McAteer House in Yellowknife, Family Support Centre in Hay River, Sutherland house in Fort Smith, Inuvik Transition House Society in Inuvik and Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter in Tuktoyaktuk.
Assistance can also be provided to women who do not have a shelter within their community. Women across the territory can get help by calling the Yellowknife YWCA’s crisis line at 1-866-223-7775. Further information can also be found online at www.gov.nt.ca/shelternetwork.
Domestic violence continues to be a serious problem across the territory. According to a 2017 report by Aurora College, violence against women in the territories is nine times higher than the national average. Indigenous women are at the highest risk of being victimized by their intimate partners, states the report.