Quebec women’s shelters full as needs keep growing

Amid a rise in reports of conjugal violence, Quebec women’s shelters say demand is far outweighing capacity.

“In the last six months, we offered shelters to 650 different women. That’s a very high number,” says Le Chaînon CEO Sonia Côté. “Half of them say they are a victim of violence, but we know it’s more than that.”

Demand is so high that the organization’s annex, which opened earlier this year, is already full.

Le Chaînon operates four buildings with 142 spaces, along with 60 more in subsidized housing units.

Côté says the shelter offers various services, including medical care, to 2,300 women each year.

It includes victims of conjugal violence, women who have aged out of youth protection and those on the verge of homelessness.

“When women come here, we are the last hope,” she says.

Emergency coordinator Krystel Drouin adds that it can be a long process to build trust with women who seek refuge.

• READ MORE: Domestic violence reports rising in Quebec: Can taking care of men save women’s lives?

“Some of them still have their abusers on the phone because they are controlling their phones,” she said. “We are removing the location services to ensure they can be safe.”

She says it can take months or years for victims to get back on their feet after fleeing.

Others go back to their abusers, sometimes because of children, family pressure or financial strain.

“We are always telling them, ‘Let us know, you can always write to us, you can always call,’” she says.

Six suspected femicides in six weeks

In the first six weeks of 2026, there were six suspected femicides in Quebec.

Helene, a counsellor at the West Island Women’s Shelter, says it’s a distressing figure.

She says due to overcapacity, the organization has had to turn women away.

“When we receive a call, we have to tell the people, ‘Sorry, we’re full. We have no room.’ So, when we hear about the femicides, it often comes to reach us because we think, ‘Is it somebody that we could have helped?’” she says.

Along with counselling, judicial and emergency services, the shelter has 14 apartments for medium-term stays, but it is securing another eight to try to meet growing demand.

Its 24/7 crisis line has been flooded with calls.

“We receive over 11,000 calls on a yearly basis,” says Helene. “We have approximately 325 families that we’ve followed over the last year, for instance.”

She says there are instances where victims aren’t sure if their cases constitute violence.

“Sometimes, it’s not black and white,” she says. “There’s a lot of different nuances in there. Sometimes, it could be just in a look, a tone of voice that you know for sure is not correct. There’s that sense of fear.”

She says there are many cases of emotional manipulation or abuse that she sees with her clients that can be warning signs of impending physical violence.

Prevention and funding

Both Le Chaînon and the West Island Women’s Shelter run prevention programs to reach women in the workplace and educate students on what healthy relationships should look like.

Drouin says it’s extremely rewarding to see a victim who has rebuilt their life pass through their doors.

“They say ‘Thank you for believing in me at the moment where I was not believing in myself, when I didn’t have the strength to get through that,’” she says.

The shelters say more funding is always needed, especially from the provincial government.

“There’s no room in the shelters,” says Helene, “We’re not the only one that has that situation. There is just no room. We have a lot of women and children that are in a very difficult situation that can’t wait for a month [for a space]. They can’t wait for a week. They have to leave now. So what do we do? What do we do?”

Seeking help

• Call 911 if you’re in immediate danger. If 911 isn’t available where you are, call your local police.
• Seek medical attention if needed. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, consider seeking medical attention. Not all injuries are visible. You can also ask about emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and pregnancy testing.
• Find a support service. 24/7 phone or chat support is available. Learn where to get help

Other resources (bilingual)

• Your local CLSC or Info-Santé: 811
• SOS violence conjugale: 514-873-9010 or 1-800-363-9010. You can also text 438-601-1211 or email [e-mail]
• Sexual Violence Helpline: 514-933-9007 or 1-888-933-9007. There is also an online chat.
• Montreal Sexual Assault Centre: 514-731-8531, ext. 47456 or [e-mail]
• Crime Victim Assistance Centre: 1-888-933-9007 or 514 933-9007 (Greater Montreal)
• Assistance aux femmes: 514-270-8291
• Shield of Athena: 514-274-8117 or 1-877-274-8117.
• Find the nearest shelter at Women’s Shelters Canada.
• RÉZO Santé: 514 521 7778
• Centre de solidarité lesbienne: 514-526-2452 or [e-mail]