Since 1981, November 25 has been set aside as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations want to raise public awareness of the problem on this day.

A recent study by Statistics Canada found that rates of spousal violence were highest among certain segments of the population: people between the ages of 15-24; people in relationships of three years or less; people who were separated; and people in common-law unions.

For years The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda has protected and supported abused women and children through their shelters and support programs.

One such shelter is The Salvation Army’s Kate Booth House, opened in British Columbia in 1985. This is a safe, confidential refuge for women and children escaping from abusive homes. Since it first opened, Kate Booth House has provided safe-haven and support to more than 4,000 women and children from 83 nationalities.
Recently, in November 2006, a new Salvation Army Kate Booth House officially opened that offers shelter to 25 women and children for up to 30 days. The facility offers 10 bedrooms, some with adjoining bathrooms to accommodate mothers and their children, in addition to two single bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms.
In 2006 the House sheltered 140 women, 119 children and 16 teens. At present 224 adults and 18 teens participate in an abuse program offered there.
Programs also include daily counselling to educate women on parenting issues, assertiveness and understanding the battering cycle and the dynamics of abuse. Information for skills training and employment resources and post departure support groups are also offered. The children’s program consists of a weekly children’s group, parent counseling, individual child counseling and children’s activities
The location of Kate Booth house is confidential to ensure the safety and well-being of its clients. The building is equipped with double locks, a security system with video cameras, fence and intercom.
Kate Booth house continues to support women after their departure from the primacies, with follow-up support groups, clothing exchange, house drop-ins, moms and tots camp, and a telephone crisis line.
Statistics show that:
· One in three B.C. women is assaulted by her husband, partner or former partner
· 21% of women abused by a current or pervious spouse were assaulted while pregnant
· 40% of wife beaters also beat their children
· 8% of homicides in B.C. can be traced back to domestic violence
· One in eighty-three homicides can be traced to some form of domestic abuse
· 5,803 beds were provided by Kate Booth House in 2006
· Kate Booth is one of only three transition homes in Vancouver

For 15 years the House has been blessed as the recipient charity of the Shaughnessy Women’s Charity Golf Tournament. A new addition in 2007 was a reception the evening before the tournament with a live auction that raised $17,000.00.

Because of the long-time support of the Shaughnessy women, Kate Booth House has been able to fund numerous projects including the hire of an outreach worker, purchase of a new van, and expansion of programs to an increasing number of residents. One such program is Esther Place, which provides four fully-furnished apartments as a second stage transitional housing for families moving from Kate Booth House.

The Salvation Army’s mandate is to help those in need, to give hope to those escaping abuse and suffering.

by Linda Leigh