Earlier this month the Alberta government passed legislation to make it easier for people to escape domestic abuse.

The amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act, which is called Safer Spaces For Victims of Domestic Violence, gives victims of abuse the ability to end their leases early, without penalty.

To leave a lease early, victims must provide certificates to landlords showing tenants are at risk, these can be from; an emergency protection order, restraining order, peace pond, or a certified professional statement from a medical doctor, psychologist, nurse, social worker, RCMP or police officer, or victim support group.

Program Coordinator for Cochrane and Area Victim Services, Sabrine Koudmani, says although a victim can break a lease, they must still provide their landlords 28 days notice.

"That doesn't necessarily mean they can't leave right away, but they are still on the hook for the 28 days of payment," she says. "If they ask the landlord for their damage deposit to be applied to that portion of the rent, the landlord has to comply with that."

She says victim services does see many victims of domestic violence who are financially not able to leave if they cannot break a lease, which puts them in a very dangerous position.

Koudmani shares the amendment is a step in the right direction, but there's still more work to do.

"I think this is a start, is it where I would love for it to be? No. I mean we're working within a system that's as good as it can be right now, and I think this is a refinement to that system that is much needed. It's still not perfect but it starts to bring awareness to an issue."

Koudmani says Victim Services has seen an increase of domestic violence cases within Cochrane, which can be attributed to improved reporting processes, population growth and the economy.

You can learn more on the Safer Spaces For Victims of Domestic Violence amendment here.