Service helping victims of domestic violence move out seeks volunteers
An emergency moving service for victims of domestic violence says it is trying to keep up with demand.
Shelter Movers Montreal's goal is to get victims out of their homes before the abuse escalates.
"I feel that every time that we get a woman out of the situation and I see her starting over, I feel that at least this woman will be safe and at least she won't go through maybe another attack that might lead to her death," said Anathalie Jean-Charles of Shelter Movers Montreal.
According to the province, about 40 per cent of adult women have experienced at least one act of violence from their partner -- that's over 1.3 million women. For men, it's 26 per cent or 858,000 Quebecers.
"It's much more common that we think," said Jean-Charles. "It's too much."
There have been nine suspected femicides in Quebec so far this year, and according to a Canada-wide report from 2023, the number of women and girls killed in the past five years has risen. On average, it's up to one every 48 hours.
Shelter Movers started in Montreal in 2020. Last year, it moved 235 people, nearly 20 moves every month.
"We started with a lot of requests from the beginning, and we're just trying to catch up right now," said Jean-Charles.
The organization is looking for more help. It's currently seeking volunteer movers, drivers, scheduling coordinators, move coordinators and intake coordinators.
"I'm a full-time student and I don't always have the greatest flexibility or the most amount of time, but to be able to spend like four or five hours a month, even just being able to give to someone and to be able to see that immediate impact," said volunteer Ashley Bock.
Volunteers can be accompanied by security or even police if the abuser could be home. For those leaving, the move is free.
"It's mostly relief. Also a sense that it's a new life starting for them, a new chance for them to start over," said Jean-Charles.
Bock said helping others start over is rewarding.
"It's such a heartwarming experience when you can help somebody who genuinely – really genuinely – appreciates it," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.