How S.H.A.D.E. Offers Safety, Support, and a Path Forward for Immigrant and Refugee Women in Winnipeg

S.H.A.D.E. in Winnipeg: A Safe Haven for Women Reclaiming Their Lives

When we think of Winnipeg, images of cultural diversity, vibrant neighbourhoods, and community resilience often come to mind. But for some women—especially immigrant and refugee women—the city can also be the setting for silent suffering, isolation, and survival.

Since 2014, Sherrie Winstanley and the team at S.H.A.D.E. (Safe Housing and Directed Empowerment) have been working tirelessly to change that. Founded to support women who have experienced domestic abuse, S.H.A.D.E. stands out not only for the services it offers, but for its deeply human approach to healing, empowerment, and community integration.

Based in Winnipeg, the charitable nonprofit has supported more than 130 women from 31 different countries—each with her own language, culture, and story of finding safety.

A Local Response to a Global Crisis

Domestic violence is a global issue, but for immigrant and refugee women, the risks are uniquely complex. Many arrive in Canada seeking a better life, only to face violence, coercion, or control behind closed doors—and often in silence.

“Many of the women we work with don’t speak English, have no support system, and don’t know Canadian laws,” Winstanley explains. “This makes them especially vulnerable. They often feel trapped.”

S.H.A.D.E. bridges that dangerous gap with trauma-informed care, safety planning, and interpreter support when needed—offering not just help, but hope.

Recognizing the Signs, Breaking the Cycle

Winstanley describes the cycle of abuse as deceptive and difficult to escape. It begins with a honeymoon phase, escalates into tension, erupts into some form of violence—be it emotional, physical, or financial—and then briefly returns to calm.

“Abuse isn’t always visible,” she says. “It can look like emotional manipulation, withholding medication, or isolating someone from friends and family.”

Many women mistake control for love. “Love isn’t dominance. It’s respect, honesty, and care. If you’re walking on eggshells or hiding things that matter to you, that’s a red flag.”

Building Safety and Independence

S.H.A.D.E. helps women reclaim control—starting with practical steps like safeguarding key documents: passports, birth certificates, immigration papers. But it’s about more than logistics; it’s about emotional readiness.

“Only the woman herself can decide to leave,” Winstanley emphasizes. “It’s her choice. But we help her make that decision safely.”

One of the most powerful ways to break isolation, she says, is to reconnect with the world. “Get a job. Go back to school. Hear other voices. That’s how women start to rediscover their worth.”

The Legal System: A Flawed Safety Net

One of the biggest hurdles many women face after leaving an abusive partner is legal abuse.

“Leaving doesn’t always end the violence,” Winstanley says. “Many abusers continue control through the court system—especially when children are involved.”

She highlights how overburdened legal aid and expensive legal representation often create an uneven playing field. “It’s not a justice system for many women. It’s just a court system.”

S.H.A.D.E. works with the Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency to arrange supervised visitation when necessary. “The child’s well-being comes first—especially when an absent parent suddenly reappears demanding access.”

Why It Matters—for Everyone

The work S.H.A.D.E. does doesn’t just change lives—it transforms communities. When women heal, find meaningful work, form friendships, and raise their children in safe homes, they become empowered citizens. They strengthen the social fabric of Winnipeg.

This grassroots initiative doesn’t just respond to crisis—it builds belonging, agency, and recovery. It speaks to a shared belief: that everyone deserves safety, dignity, and a real chance to thrive.

As Winstanley puts it, “At the end of the day, love is an action. And through every conversation, every safety plan, and every woman we walk alongside, we’re showing what that action really looks like.”