Welcome to New Starts Women's Shelter
At New Starts, we know that the first step is the hardest.
You have shelter, safety & support with us.
We provide a safe, secure shelter for women and their children who have experienced violence. We recognize and respect the strength of each woman, and offer a supportive, non judgemental setting where a woman can consider all of her options to make informed decisions for herself. We recognize the specific and distinct needs of women and children from violent homes.
You are not alone.
Abuse happens to many women, of all incomes & educational levels, in all social classes, of all religious and ethnic groups. An abuser learns to use violence as a way of expressing anger or frustration long before they met you.
Ignoring violence is dangerous.
The first sign of violence should be considered a danger signal. It is very likely it will happen again and become more frequent and severe over time.
We acknowledge that New Starts for Women Inc. is on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek in Treaty 3 territory, homeland of Lac Seul and Wabauskang, and is part of the larger territory, Turtle Island.
We acknowledge the historical harms to Indigenous Communities that originated through colonial violence and that have been upheld for hundreds of years.
We recognize these harms still exist today in our own organizations, communities and systems.
Understanding these truths will move us to honouring Indigenous Women, embracing their strength, knowledge, leadership, and contributions to creating safer communities.
We are committed to listening, learning, and walking together in the spirit of reconciliation and healing.
Signs of Abuse
Abuse can take many forms - physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual. Often, the signs can be subtle, making it difficult to identify when a relationship or environment has become abusive.
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Whether you are experiencing this yourself, or are concerned about a loved one, remember that you are not alone. We are here to help you understand and recognize the signs so you can better protect yourself.​​
Our vision is to live in a peaceful society without fear of violence,
to have freedom of choices, where people are equally valued.
We begin by valuing ourselves.
All people have the right to decide for themselves the direction
of their lives according to their own values and needs.
We believe that when relieved from the pressure of an abusive home environment
and given opportunities and encouragement, women can develop
their full potential to live a full and rich life.
3,300
women are forced to sleep in an emergency shelter to escape domestic violence every night in Canada.
362,000
children witness or experience family violence in Canada each year.
1/2
of all women in Canada have experienced at least 1 incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
