Intimate partner violence at dangerous levels in Manitoba: shelters

Some Manitoba shelters supporting women and girls fleeing domestic violence say demand for their services has increased drastically in the last few years.

Some Manitoba shelters supporting women and girls fleeing domestic violence say demand for their services has increased drastically in the last few years.

“The demand is high and overwhelming,” said Lisa Fast, the housing and outreach co-ordinator for Agape House in Steinbach, Man.

“Last year we had the highest numbers we’ve seen in over 10 years for those coming into shelter and accessing our crisis line, and this year we’re already on track to be 87 per cent higher than last year.”

Fast says it has them pushed to capacity.

“We never want to leave someone unsupported or in an unsafe environment, so we work closely with the network of shelters in Manitoba,” Fast said. “But we’re having to get creative with options for supporting people when they come in, because we’ve been at capacity for a full year now.”

Last week, the rural community of McCreary was devastated by what Manitoba RCMP are calling “a horrific act of domestic partner violence.” Police say Marlon Glover, 41, killed his former partner’s three family members at a home in the RM of McCreary. Glover died shortly after of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In February, 29-year-old Ryan Manoakeesick of Carman, Man., was charged in the killings of five people: his partner, their three young children and his partner’s niece.

Angela Braun, the executive director of Genesis House in Winkler, says domestic violence is at an all-time high in Manitoba.