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
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Is that 'Her'? OpenAI pauses a ChatGPT voice after some say it sounds like Scarlett Johansson
OpenAI says it plans to halt the use of one of its ChatGPT voices after some users said it sounded like Scarlett Johansson, who famously voiced a fictional, and at the time futuristic, AI assistant in the 2013 film 'Her.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.