While expressing gratitude for new provincial funding announced for the gender-based violence sector, the provincial coordinator of Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) said more needs to be done.
In a media release Wednesday afternoon, Ann de Ste Croix said her organization was grateful for the $4 million it’s receiving from the province. Announced to coincide with International Women’s Day, funding for the Halifax-based non-profit was part of an $8 million funding announcement made Wednesday.
The money is intended to help organizations that support women experiencing gender-based violence to help meet increased service demands and address rising operating costs.
“We’re very grateful for this investment into the gender-based violence sector. That said, this funding does not address our recommendation for sustainable core funding for violence-against-women organizations in our province,” de Ste Croix said in the media release.
“Without this, community-based organizations such as transition houses are unable to provide professional services in a consistent and equitable manner across the province.”
THANS said victims and survivors of gender-based violence continue to suffer most as a result of inconsistent and inadequate funding.
“We will continue to strongly advocate for stable core funding for violence-against-women organizations across Nova Scotia, as well as collaborate with other community organizations and all levels of government to ensure equitable, consistent, and comprehensive services to those who need it most,” de Ste Croix said in the release.
‘A step in the right direction’
In a provincial media release, the Nova Scotia Status of Women said that in addition to the $4 million given to THANS for support programs focused on women and their families, it was providing nine transition houses and Naomi Society with a $100,000 one-time increase each to their operational budgets.
They’ll also get $100,000 each to provide more programming for men and boys, victims of human trafficking, cultural responsivity, and to improve second stage housing.
Women’s Centres Connect will receive $1 million to support community-based programs focused on the prevention of gender-based violence and improving access to supports and resources.
Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association and Jane Paul Indigenous Resource Centre are together receiving $250,000 to help with increased operating costs and provide localized programming.
In addition, nine women’s centres and Alice House are each getting $75,000 to help with rising operational costs.
“Women’s centres across the province work tirelessly to support women and adolescent girls through early intervention, prevention services and public education,” Shelley Curtis-Thompson, executive director of the Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre, said in the provincial media release.
“Today’s investment is a step in the right direction towards increased resources that will allow us to meet the growing demands we face.”
The Status of Women noted that in 2022, 79% of the victims in 1,666 domestic violence assaults reported to police in Nova Scotia were women.
In November 2022, the province joined the Government of Canada and other provinces and territories to endorse and announce Canada’s first National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (reported here).
Excellent news. Money well spent. It is a sad commentary on our society that we have to spend it.