A study assessing the level of danger for Alberta women in abusive relationships points to a need for more transitional housing once they leave shelters.

Jan Reimer, of the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, says they would like the province to develop a program to fund more housing. Currently, it partially funds just two projects.

Edmonton has 29 second-stage units, Calgary has 67 and Medicine Hat has 10. Wabasca near Fort McMurray and Enilda near Slave Lake also have a few units. According to council's 15-month research project "Keep Women Alive,'' women at second-stage housing, where women can stay six months to a year, have experienced increased levels of violence.

Alberta's incidence of domestic violence is among the highest in Canada. Between 2000 and 2006 a total of 170 deaths from domestic violence were reported. (cp, jc)

On the Net:
ACWS.ca: Alberta Council of Women's Shelters