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

THANS does not provide frontline service to individual clients. People needing support should either call or text the provincial toll-free line 1-855-225-0220, available 24/7 or their local shelter organization. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911.

Find A Women's Shelter

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.

Addressing housing crisis means also addressing violence against women

By Shiva Nourpanah | September 7, 2021

Read our latest op ed here: Shiva Nourpanah: Addressing housing crisis means also addressing violence against women – Nova Scotia Advocate (nsadvocate.org)

PUT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION AGENDA!

By Shiva Nourpanah | September 2, 2021

Over the past week, the THANS office has been busy writing to all NS candidates in the upcoming federal election, urging them to : Support a National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence; Secure Sustainable Funding; Immediately Address the Housing Crisis; And Advance Child Protection and Criminal Justice Efforts; The full text … Read more

OPEN LETTER TO NS FEDERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES

By Shiva Nourpanah | September 2, 2021

This letter has been sent to all NS Federal Candidates: 31 August 2021 On behalf of our staff and Board of Directors with the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS), we want to congratulate you on your candidacy and offer our best wishes to you, and your campaign team, in the short weeks ahead. … Read more

VACANCY- PART-TIME, SHORT-TERM POSITION AVAILABLE

By Shiva Nourpanah | July 26, 2021

THANS is seeking to hire a Project Assistant on a short-term, part-time basis, with possibility of renewal based on available funding. Duties and Responsibilities: The Project Assistant supports the efficient day-to-day operation of the THANS office, and the work of the THANS Provincial Coordinator. The Project Assistant will support the Provincial Coordinator with project and … Read more

THANS AGM 2020-2021

By Shiva Nourpanah | June 14, 2021

THANS AGM 28 June 2021, 5pm please email coordinator@thans.ca for details on joining.

Digital Lifelines for Atlantic Canadian Women in Crisis: Rogers Expands Phone Program to Women’s Shelters and Transition Houses Across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador

By Shiva Nourpanah | May 19, 2021

This article first appeared on Rogers on May 18, 2021 hones and plans to 30 shelters and transition houses across the region to help women and their children, including Indigenous women, escape violence and abuse Rogers enabling safe, critical connectivity for women in crisis as shelters see a spike in frequency and severity of … Read more

Read All Updates & News

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.

Three women with arms around each other. Donate to a womens shelter in Nova Scotia.

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!

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