Halifax, NS, January 26, 2026 – When someone shares their experience of intimate partner violence, the response should never be to blame the victim. The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) supports Lisa Banfield’s right, and the right of all survivors, to speak about their own experiences and to be treated with dignity and respect.
As a province, we continue to live with the profound impacts of the violence inflicted on April 18 and 19, 2020. While nothing can undo the harm and loss caused, it remains essential to name a key reality confirmed by the Mass Casualty Commission: intimate partner violence was part of the context that shaped the mass casualty.
THANS wants all Nova Scotians to understand that leaving an abusive relationship is difficult and not as straightforward as people often assume. From our work across the province, we know that leaving is often the most dangerous time for a survivor, when risk can escalate quickly. A survivor may be at the highest level of danger precisely when they are taking steps toward safety.
There are many valid reasons why someone may not be able to leave right away or may choose not to leave until it is safer to do so. Safe housing may not be available. Financial options may be limited. The person causing harm may increase danger through threats, monitoring, or retaliation. Leaving is not a single moment; it is a process. Survivors are often making strategic decisions in high-risk circumstances, doing what they can to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Victim-blaming does not prevent violence. It makes it harder for survivors to reach out for support. It shifts responsibility away from the person who caused harm and onto the person who was harmed. THANS holds deep sympathy for the victims and survivors of the mass casualty, and compassion for the families and communities who continue to carry grief and trauma. The impacts of violence extend far beyond the moment it occurs, rippling outward and leaving lasting harm.
This is why intimate partner violence is not a private issue; it is a community issue. It affects public safety and community wellbeing and demands a collective response. We are asking Nova Scotians to respond with care, not judgment. We can support survivors while also holding space for others who are hurting. These truths can exist at the same time.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, help is available. Call or text the provincial support line at 1-855-225-0220, or visit www.thans.ca/our-members/ to find the transition house closest to you. You can also call or text 211 to connect with supports in your area. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.