Southern Alberta emergency shelters say they're struggling to find room for families fleeing domestic violence.

The director of the Cantara Safehouse in Brooks says in the last three years she's seen more than a 30 per cent increase in clients.

“We are out of space in our facility. We have in the last six weeks, probably had to turn away six people,” said Shauna Bell.

Bell is not alone as shelters in High River, Strathmore, Medicine Hat and Taber are all experiencing the same problem — not enough space to accommodate the need.

“It's absolutely unsettling, you know across the province, that's the general trend,” said Amy Tiberghien, an employee at a shelter in Taber.

Rural shelters throughout the region say they don't understand the increase, but believe it's likely because more people know about them.