THANS works to eliminate violence against women in Nova Scotia.
The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) is an umbrella association of Violence-Against-Women organizations across the province.
We offer a range of services and supports to women and their families experiencing violence:
- Access to free 24/7 communal shelter and basic necessities
- Crisis lines
- Advocacy and court accompaniment
- Counseling and outreach services
Creating Communities of Care
Supporting the awareness and work raised around Afican-Nova Scotian and Indigenous women experiencing violence and abuse in Halifax.
HIFIS: a National Picture
HIFIS aims to prevent and reduce homelessness by increasing knowledge and understanding of homelessness issues across Canada.
For Neighbours, Friends, Families & Co-Workers
How to help as a trusted individual to someone experiencing violence.
Women's Shelter Canada
THANS is part of the Women's Shelter Canada network. This is a fantastic National resource.
Map of Resources
THANS and our member organization receive core operational funding from the Province of Nova Scotia. Check out this resource map from our government partners, the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.
Updates & News
THANS works with communities and all levels of government. We raise public awareness and funding for projects and initiatives in line with our mandate of working to eliminate violence against women.
Support and Services to Transgender Women
Supports and Services for Transgender Women Experiencing Violence A Position Paper by Veronica Merryfield Canada has a global reputation in implementing legislation to protect the rights of minorities, such as people with gender identities and expressions who do not follow stereotypical views of how men and women should look like and behave. However, transgender … Read more
Transition houses never wind down, close for holidays for victims of domestic violence
read the full op-ed in the Chronicle Herald: SHIVA NOURPANAH: Transition houses never wind down, close for holidays for victims of domestic violence | Local-Perspectives | Opinion | The Chronicle Herald
Call for Expressions of Interest
Are you a vibrant, creative, smart media production company with a passion for social projects? Do you care about social causes which serve some of the most vulnerable people in our communities? Then we have a project for you! We are looking for a company which can deliver a suite of professional media products and … Read more
Engaging Men and Boys in Challenging Violence-Against-Women
Engaging Men and Boys in Challenging Violence-Against-Women Joint Position Paper November 2020 Every so often, women serving organizations are confronted by this question: “But what about men and boys?” There is a real concern that men and boys are inundated with negative messages about what it means to be a man, concurrent … Read more
Domestic Violence Beyond the Pandemic
“Has domestic violence increased?” Since March 2020, this has been one of the most frequent questions that the members of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia and our sister organizations across Canada have been receiving. Like so much else in the sector, the answer is complicated. Reports of increased domestic violence began circulating almost … Read more
The Reality of Violence Against Women
There is no place for violence in any relationship at any time. Not at home, at work, at school or in public. It is never justified.
Abusers often blame other people or things for their violence, such their children, frustration, work pressures, or their own upbringing. Many abusers say their victim provokes them to be violent.
No one can cause another person to be violent.
Women who live with abuse may:
- Feel shameful and may want to keep the abuse secret.
- Feel like they are crazy and that there is something wrong within themselves.
- Feel powerless to change or improve their situation.
- Fear of reprisal from the abuser.
- Doubt their own judgement or wonder if they are to blame.
- Feel increasingly depressed, trapped, and powerless.
Barriers to leaving abuse:
- Lack of affordable housing.
- No one will believe her about the abuse.
- Fear of losing their children.
- False belief that they will loose everything.
- Knowledge that the law gives them little protection.
- False belief that they are responsible for the abuse.
- He says he’s sorry and won’t do it again.
- False belief that he’s a good father despite the children hearing or witnessing his abuse.
- still love their partner.
- Partner’s threats of suicide if she leaves.
- Isolation from family and friends.
We all have a right to:
- Not to be abused.
- To freedom from fear of abuse.
- To request and expect assistance from the police and social agencies.
- To leave an abusive environment.
- To privacy.
- To legally prosecute my abusing spouse.
- Not to be perfect.
Donate to A Women's Shelter Now
Your donations will benefit families in crisis, in particular women and children who are in unsafe situations. Provide meals and basic necessities, holiday and group programming. Proper equipment and furniture to run a shelter, and staffing. Donations are used to support us with all these and much more!