When the ministry for women's affairs established a domestic violence unit and hotline, she organized the first training for stakeholders in this unit, including police officers and representatives from crisis centres, shelters and hotlines for domestic violence, rape, AIDS and suicide. She reported that NGO activists were also involved in a government advisory group, and later acted as facilitators for a government programme of community workshops to discuss violence against women. The general human rights situation in her country has generated concern in her organization, especially the frequent imposition of the death penalty. Another member reported on government funding of shelters and related services in one Canadian province. Government funding covers staff wages and basic shelter needs such food, bedding and toiletries, and counseling programs for women and children who have experienced violence.
Most shelters carry out additional community fund-raising to supplement shelter and client needs.
These additional funds may come from foundations, large fund-raising agencies, businesses, or gambling and lottery funds. Transition Houses are generally operated by separate non-profit agencies. The non-profit groups which run shelters contract directly with the government. Their input into contract negotiations has included not only the amount of the funds but also specific language and expectations regarding services. For example, she emphasized that women in shelters or transition houses should not be forced to work with, or report to, any government agencies, since most women coming into transition house are fearful of police, the legal systems and the social service systems.