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RANKIN INLET - Last month, every bed in the Kataujaq Society crisis shelter was full of women and children fleeing domestic violence.

In the past five months, the society has recorded 287 bed nights, meaning it has sheltered two people a night on average.

That's "a lot for here," said Evelyn Thordarson, director of the regional facility in Rankin Inlet.

This summer was a bit worse than those in seasons past, but Thordarson said it wasn't that surprising given the changes in the region over the past few years.

"The mines are up and running, and the fellas are getting big paycheques, bringing the booze and drugs home. They get to fighting and that's it, the women are in the shelter," she said.

Centrally located, the centre is a mini-bastion of security. Visitors are buzzed in through a steel door, and cameras survey its perimeter. Drugs and alcohol are strictly banned in the building, and a number of steps are taken to shelter the facility's youngest charges as much as possible.

"Here is a non-violent haven. No toy guns, no toys that can be used as a weapon. We also don't allow children to watch any adult TV or movies. The children's room is a full child environment," Thordarson explained.

In many cases, the children have already seen a lot of violence firsthand and may be starting to act it out themselves, she pointed out.

"Children who witness family violence in the home imitate what they see. Women think, 'Let's stay together for the sake of the children.' That is the worst thing they can do," Thordarson said. "The children witness the fight, they witness Dad hitting Mom, and then child starts to do exactly what dad does to mom."

Most of the crisis shelter's clients come from surrounding communities, referred by Health and Social Services, who in turn have been notified by the RCMP. Local women may remain for one week, while women from other hamlets can stay for up to two weeks.

While at Kataujaq, they receive counselling and are encouraged to reach out to other support programs. But when the allotted time is up, almost every single one returns to the same house she had fled.

"If we can save one woman or family a year then I think we're doing a good job," Thordarson said.

While the numbers have been creeping up, some things are improving. Thordarson said the centre has been getting the support of more elders over the past year or so. In turn, more people view the shelter as a legitimate and necessary service.

"I think women aren't taking it as much either. I think more and more women are beginning to believe they are not stupid, that they can get a better life," she said.

The crisis shelter gets its core funding - which pays for eight employees, including an elder-adviser - from the Department of Health and Social Services.

Women seeking refuge can contact the shelter's staff on their radio phone or through their local social services office.