Inuvik (Oct 20/03) - Thirteen beds and two houses are all that's available to battered, frightened and abused Mackenzie Delta and Sahtu women.

Ann Kasook, executive director of the Inuvik Transition House, helps families mend their broken lives by providing a comfortable home and a compassionate heart. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

So the two shelters, one in Tuktoyaktuk and one Inuvik, have a steady flow of women through their doors.

The Inuvik Transition House has eight beds but can hold up to 14 women and children who are experiencing family violence in the home, said Ann Kasook, executive director.

The shelter opened in 1992 by the Inuvik Transition House Society. It serves both the Delta and the Sahtu region.

Kasook and her four full-time staff helped 160 women and children last year. The shelter lets the family stay for up to six weeks. During that time Kasook teaches the woman how to deal with violence and abuse.

"They learn how to recognize the cycle of violence," said Kasook.

"Now they don't have to wait for the explosion. The defuse it before it happens at the tension building stage."

Although the woman returns home with new skills there's few services available for the man.

"Something needs to be in place to work with the whole family unit," she said.

The Tuk shelter is hardly ever full but almost always in use, said Jenny Jacobson, executive director. The five-bed shelter is open to women and children in Tuktoyaktuk who need a safe place to get away from family violence.

She doesn't want to disclose the number of people who use the shelter annually because of confidentiality.

"It is used fairly well in the month," she confirmed.

Jacobson, four caregivers and a child advocate worker keep the facility open 24-hours a day and offer counselling services. The clients have five-days to stay and sort things out.

"They have five days to stay. Hopefully we are able to help them or send them to the Inuvik Transition House. It all depends on the client and what they want to do," said Jacobson.

Although everybody knows where the home is, security isn't an issue.

"We work closely with the RCMP and we know each other's schedules. We have meetings with them so they know what our needs are and they know how to address the problems," said Jacobson.

More regional services like a psychiatrist and nutritionist would be what Jacobson would put on her wish list.

"We need more resources because we're an isolated community."