Halifax, NS – The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS), an umbrella association representing violence-against-women organizations across the province, commends the swift and unanimous passage of the bill declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia. This landmark decision marks a significant step toward acknowledging the pervasive and deeply rooted issue of intimate partner violence in our province.
“The successful passage of this Bill is a result of tireless advocacy on behalf of community organizations and survivors, who have been sounding the alarm on this issue for decades,” said Ann de Ste Croix, Provincial Coordinator of THANS. “We applaud the leadership of the NDP for bringing this issue forward and the advocates whose efforts helped make this moment possible.”
The bill’s passage aligns with the Mass Casualty Commission’s recommendations to mobilize a society-wide response against gender-based violence, which includes intimate partner violence. We know that these issues disproportionately impact women and girls, as 79% of survivors of gender-based violence in Nova Scotia are women, according to the Nova Scotia Status of Women Office.
It is especially necessary that this bill has passed in our province as rates of police-reported IPV in Nova Scotia continue to be higher than the national average. If we consider that less than 2% of intimate partner violence incidents in the province are reported to police, the number is likely far greater. When we examine self-reported data, women in Nova Scotia actually experience some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the country. Over 30% of women in Nova Scotia who have been in an intimate relationship have reported being assaulted by their partner. The prevalence of violence against women in our province demands urgent and sustained government action, and this declaration is a critical step in addressing this alarming reality.
As a collective of organizations dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing violence against women, THANS remains committed to advocating for further legislative measures, including expanded support for survivors, epidemic-level funding for community organizations providing intervention services and supports, and strengthened preventive programming across the province.
“We believe this is only the beginning,” continued de Ste Croix. “The declaration of an epidemic signals an opportunity for continued and meaningful investment into resources and programming that prevent violence, protect those impacted by domestic violence and create safer communities for all. We look forward to continuing our work with the provincial government and our community partners to ensure that this momentum leads to lasting change.”
About THANS
The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) is an umbrella association of violence against women organizations across the province. Our member organizations provide a range of services and support to women and their families experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, violence, including emergency shelter, access to basic necessities, safety planning, counseling, and referrals, among others.