The executive director of the women's shelter in Steinbach says despite years of public education, domestic violence continues to be a serious problem here in Southeastern Manitoba. This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tracy Whitby of Agape House, also known as the Eastman Crisis Centre, notes one positive outcome of their ongoing education program is that more women are reaching out for help.

Tracy Whitby"Promoting what we do has increased awareness and increased the number of people reaching out for help which is wonderful. You don't want people suffering in silence, you want people to reach out and get that help that they need. Education is a key component of prevention so to continue to spread information is wonderful and that is the purpose of Domestic Violence Awareness Month."

Whitby says abuse occurs in all cultures and across all economic groups and we need to continue putting forward the message that it is wrong. She adds this includes mental, emotional and financial abuse in addition to physical violence. She notes not a day goes by when they don't have a woman being housed at the shelter.

"We can have a completely full house and that can last for two or three months and then it'll drop to maybe half, but we're always serving someone which is sad, but it's also good. The fact that they are there and reaching out for help is a good thing."

She notes many abused women find it hard to reach out for help.

"There is a lot of shame and blame around this issue but we need to deflect that, that is not true, it is not the victim's fault. So please don't feel ashamed to reach out for that help. And please, if you know someone who you think might be in that situation, reach out to them, help them out, give them information, give them our numbers and listen to them and believe them. Make them feel that it is not their fault, help them to feel confident and realize that there is a better life, that they do deserve to have a better life."

Whitby says a big part of prevention education is to talk to young people and to teach them what a healthy relationship looks like.