"The abuse that threatens women is inescapable. If the abuser can’t hurt the women physically then they will hurt her in some other manner."

That from Genesis House Executive Director Ang Braun, who along with the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters Inc. say they're saddened to learn three-year-old Hunter Straight-Smith has died of injuries allegedly inflicted by the mom's ex-boyfriend. The three-year-old boy who was stabbed while sleeping in the middle of the night Wednesday, died late Saturday afternoon.

"This time the anger was taken out on an innocent child," Braun says. "It’s important to remind people that this is domestic violence at its worst."

She notes the tragedy especially hits home during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In a release, the Manitoba Association of Women's Shelters leaders urges people to make the connection between violence against women and the murder of the young boy.

"He was murdered only to cause pain to his mother in retaliation for her standing up to her ex-boyfriend. This is the sort of violence that shelters, domestic violence agencies and organizations all over Manitoba and Canada fight to bring awareness of because it’s still happening at an alarming rate and it may not be recognized for what it is – domestic violence."

Each year shelters in Manitoba assist thousands of women, men and children. During 2018-2019 MAWS shelters assisted with 16,792 crisis line calls and provided 49,031 bed nights to women, men and children who were victims of family violence.

If you are facing domestic violence or abuse you can call the 24-hour crisis line at 1-877-977-0007.