Ending domestic violence starts with awareness

For Deborah Toth, the decision to leave a gift in her Will for Women’s Place of South Niagara was about much more than helping finance the organization and its programs. Her gift meant she could help shine a light on domestic violence and inspire conversations to educate people.

“As more people participate and leave something to Women’s Shelter in their Wills, they help bring awareness to the need to end the everyday occurrence of violence against women and children,” says Deborah, founder and former owner of The Martial Arts Centre in Niagara Falls. “As a survivor and one-time client of Women’s Place, I’m also very grateful for the help I received.”

Deborah’s involvement in Women’s Place started in 1990, when she founded the International Women’s Day committee as a way to raise funds for three women’s shelters in Niagara. The committee would go on to organize the “Strike Out Violence Bowling,” which is now an annual fundraising event hosted by Women’s Place. Deborah continues to be a volunteer with Women’s Place and says her strong bond with the organization remains as strong as ever.

Women’s Place of South Niagara was formed in the early 1980s and today operates two facilities: Serenity Place, a 10-bed shelter in Welland, and Nova House, a 20-bed shelter in Niagara Falls. The organization’s mission is to stop abuse and violence against women and children by providing safety through shelter, counselling, education, advocacy and community partnerships.

According to 2019/2020 figures provided by Women’s Place of South Niagara, 218 women and 96 children have stayed in Women’s Place shelters, for a total of 9,730 bed nights. More than 3,300 support calls were received by both shelters, with 208 women taking advantage of legal advocacy services, and 226 women using the services of Transitional & Housing Support Advocates.

“Women’s shelters are on the front lines of the combat to end domestic violence,” says Debora. “I am also a warrior on those front lines, fighting for peace and safety in my own life to bring awareness, healing and peace to others. We all need to carry this conversation and mission further along.”