A plea to stop the cycle of intimate partner violence in N.S.

A press conference by the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia.

Transition House Association of Nova Scotia executive director Ann de Ste Croix has made an emotional plea and a call for action at a time when intimate partner violence has reached a crisis-level in Nova Scotia.

“The recent intimate partner homicides in our province have left family, friends and entire communities grieving unimaginable losses,” de Ste Croix said, with tears in her eyes as she described the recent tragedies.

Six deaths in Nova Scotia dating back to Oct. 18. -- a seventh violent death occurred on Christmas Eve in Saint John New Brunswick.

de Ste Croix urged the premier of Nova Scotia to deliver immediate support.

“We call on you to provide the epidemic-level funding that our organizations require, to address the scope and scale of intimate partner violence in our province,” she said. “We need the necessary resources and support to address this epidemic.”

“I feel these issues very personally,” said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston when asked at the legislature. “I try to be present in these situations. This is one where I am happy to talk to Nova Scotia and listen to them and work with them.”

To explain the alarming and recent rise in violence, de Ste Croix pointed to systemic problems, including economic stress and the overall housing shortage in the province.

“We need second-stage housing across our province,” she said. “So, women would have more options to leave their abusive relationships.”

Tara Graham’s mother, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, was killed by her husband on Oct. 18. Graham wants police to do more when it comes to identifying warning signs and providing support for women, before it is too late.

“My mother was never physically abused, I don’t believe,” said Graham. “Ultimately, it was coercive control and that’s what her abuse was.”

Violence prevention in education

Women’s advocate Carrie Low has called for early education as a link to violence prevention. Low wants the subject introduced to students through academic curriculum.

She also wants men to speak out against intimate partner violence.

“Why aren’t the men stepping up, why aren’t they calling it out and why aren’t they with us in these spaces?” asked Low. “These are your neighbours. This is your family and these are your friends.”

As a response to these recent tragedies, the RCMP has developed a triage strategy. When a 911 call comes in, they try to quickly rank and classify the urgency of the domestic situation.

“Intimate partner violence is always prioritized as a “priority one” call because we know the significance and the dangers associated with those calls for service” said RCMP chief superintendent Dan Morrow. “So now we are deploying members in the first instance.”

The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia has a message for women living in Nova Scotia: if you are considering leaving an abusive relationship, call and for help. And always know you are not alone.