The province says more work needs to be done to prevent intimate partner violence and they cannot do it alone.
In an emailed statement, Justice Minister Becky Druhan says they need to work with communities, experts and other levels of government to find solutions and support survivors.
She says the government boosted funding for transition houses and women’s centres by $7.1 million last year, one of the biggest increases in more than 20 years. That brings their total budget up to $16.9 million a year.
Since October, five women, and one woman’s father, were killed by their male partners. In each case, the man then committed suicide.
Most recently, RCMP officers found two dead at a home in Mahone Bay on Sunday. They say a 75-year-old man killed his partner, a 60-year-old woman, before he took his own life.
On New Year’s Eve, Cora-Lee Smith, 40, and her father, Bradford Downey, 73, were murdered by Matthew Costain, who had a relationship with Smith. Later that night, Costain shot himself.
On Nov. 4, Halifax RCMP found the bodies of a 72-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman inside a Cole Harbour home. In this case, too, police determined the man murdered the woman, who he had a relationship with, and then killed himself.
On Nov. 1, RCMP found the bodies of another man and woman, who were in a relationship, at a home on Placid Court in Yarmouth. The 58-year-old man killed the 49-year-old woman before he killed himself.
RCMP found the remains of a 59-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man at a home on Rockcliffe Drive in Enfield on Oct. 18. They were in a relationship, and the man killed the woman before he killed himself.
“These losses are a stark reminder of the critical need to address intimate partner violence, and we stand with those who have been impacted. IPV remains a deeply entrenched issue in our society and continues to affect far too many individuals and families. While progress has been made, we know there is more to be done — and we cannot do it alone,” wrote Druhan in the statement.
She says the province will work with different groups and governments to create the framework outlined in the Mass Casualty Commission report.
Several women’s shelters in the city say they appreciate the funding but need more funding to support their services or to expand.
Related: Women face many barriers when they want to seek help for intimate partner violence
Related: A Halifax emergency women’s shelter is full, but they need funding for more housing
If you or anyone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, here are some resources that may help:
- Crisis lines you can reach by calling or texting 211 or toll free 1-855-466-4994
- Bryony House for women and children
- Shelter Nova Scotia for men
- For men who have been violent to their partners and want to stop, there are several Men’s Intervention Programs linked here.
- Domestic Violence Resource Centre
