Residential facilities serving victims of abuse in Canada, 2020/2021

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Release date: April 12, 2022
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Infographic: Residential facilities serving victims of abuse in Canada, 2020/2021
Description: Residential facilities serving victims of abuse in Canada, 2020/2021

557 facilities

1 in 5 short-term facilities had an average length of stay of 3 months or longer (19%).

Facilities admitted 46,827 people in 2020/2021, 31% fewer than in 2017/2018.

  • 28,592 women
  • 9,367 girls
  • 8,411 boys
  • 457 men and people of another genderNote 2

On April 14, 2021 Note 3:

  • 2,749 women were in facilities for reasons of abuse.
  • 6,775 short-term beds
  • 1,273 long-term units

Close to 4 in 10 (38%) women residents had a history of homelessness.

1 in 5 (21%) women residents had stayed at the same facility in the previous year.

77 women left a facility on snapshot day

  • 30% returned to a home where the abuser lived
  • 12% returned to a home where the abuser did not live
  • 12% left to live with friends or relatives

386 women were turned away

  • 71% were turned away because shelter was considered full

Percentage of facilities that reported a large impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic (challenges)

  • Accommodation capacity (47%)
  • Hiring or training new staff (34%)
  • Providing professional services or programs (31%)
  • Volunteer work (31%)
  • Communicating with victims outside the facility or with residents (21%)

During the pandemic, facilities saw increases in (% of facilities):

  • Demand for admissions of adults and accompanying children – 25%
  • Demand for admissions of adults only – 32%
  • Number of crisis calls – 49%
  • Demand for external supports, outreach – 53%
  • Use of text/instant messaging for victims outside the facility – 55%
  • Use of email for victims outside the facility – 55%
  • Use of other methods of communication for victims outside the facility – 68%

During the pandemic, 6 in 10 (61%) facilities reduced their number of beds or units.

8 out of 10 (81%) facilities reported that the lack of affordable long-term housing is one of the top challenges facing residents.

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics, Survey of Residential Facilities for Victims of Abuse.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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