When we refer someone to a shelter, we first ask them which city they're calling from, how many children they have and whether they have a disability or personal needs that require special attention at the shelter location they're seeking.
Of course, if I refer a woman from Montreal to a shelter and the only spot I can find is in Joliette or Trois-Rivières, there's a good chance that, in the end, she won't be able to agree to travel that far to find safety. There are too many challenges associated with that decision. There are even women who are criticized by organizations—in court, for example—for taking their children 200 kilometres away from their home, even though it was for their safety.
I think we also need to talk about the child protection system. The child protection system can sometimes fall short in its understanding of the reality faced by victims of domestic violence. Sometimes these situations are viewed as mere conflicts rather than violence. I think we need to learn to use the word “violence” to describe violent behaviour. We shouldn't be afraid to do so. Victims must have the right to assert that their situation is a violent one without being blamed for it.
There is still a lot of work to be done to truly shelter women. However, from our perspective, we certainly find it very difficult to be forced to tell women on a daily basis to call us back the next day or the day after that.