Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
S204 6169 Quinpool Road B3L 4P8 Halifax, NS, Canada

Gaining access to services has to do with seeing yourself in the services and feeling like it’s accessible to you. We know there’s a long-time concern that service providers will see or hear or understand us or really from our perspective share our common practices. There’s often just a lack of understanding.... for that reason, I’ve found women of color will often stay longer in their relationships because they don’t see services accessible to themselves.

Today is Day 1 - but What are the #16DaysOfActivism against #GenderBasedViolence? "Everyone deserves to live, work and study in a safe environment free from vi...olence. However, many people in Canada and around the world continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, the World Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. The 16 Days are an opportunity to come together as Canadians, and with partners around the world, to call out and speak up on gender-based violence and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit), and gender diverse individuals. In Canada, we also observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, honouring the memory of the women we lost during the tragic mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989" (Status of Women Canada, November 23, 2020). We are happy to have so many strong allies who have supported our work during this difficult time The Lotus Centre Transition House Association of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women Women's Shelters Canada / Hébergement femmes Canada United Way of Colchester County

The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia and its member organizations are, as always, grateful for the donations of private individuals and community members. Many of our clients feel the financial burden of what is supposed to be a joyous family time even more acutely, and we know we can rely on the generous support of our communities to alleviate that burden. In particular we encourage gifts cards to local businesses, supporting our Nova Scotian economies. Gifts c...ards to local restaurants and beauty salons are very much appreciated. Do you have a family recipe you would like to share? Donate it! We are always looking for ideas for nutritious, cost-effective meals. Write up or print your favourite recipe, attach a gift card to a grocery store which would cover the cost of preparing a meal based on the recipe, and send it in! We will ensure a family gets to make and enjoy that meal. Holidays can be hard for vulnerable families. But with your support, we can infuse joy and bring well wishes, even during the hardest times Juniper House Naomi Society Third Place Transition House Leeside Transition House Harbour House Tearmann Society Chrysalis House Association Cape Breton Transition House Association Willow House http://thans.ca//find-a-shel/mikmaw-family-healing-centre/

Wear purple and start a conversation about gender based violence today.

NEW LEARNING NETWORK BRIEF Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, gender-based violence advocates have warned that the pandemic may increase the prevalence of viol...ence against women and children. The full extent of this increase may not emerge until reopening continues and survivors face fewer barriers to accessing these services. This Brief summarizes current research and advocacy on domestic violence against women and children in the context of COVID-19 reopening, as well as policy recommendations for addressing the needs of survivors and the organizations that support them. www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/briefs/brief-37.html

THANS applies for standing at the #PublicInquiry into the Nova Scotia #massshootings Full letter to the Hon. @MarkFurey1 and Hon. @DavidLametti... http://thans.ca/thans-applies-standing-public-inquiry-ns-m/ @MinJusticeEn #feminist #ViolenceAgainstWomen #EndViolence #DomesticViolence Autumn House

Our #Halifax office has #purpleribbons for you or your workplace. This year, we will not be requesting cash #donations. Just let us know how many purple ribbons you would like! #purpleribbon #16DaysOfActivism #GenderBasedViolence

Great piece CBC Nova Scotia bringing together different perspectives and elevating voices of women's groups and experts.

The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia condemns all forms of police violence and brutality. We are saddened and outraged by the behaviour of the police, as depicted in the CBC article on 9th November 2020 "She was too afraid to testify at her ex's domestic abuse trial. She was jailed instead". This behaviour, a clear violation of human rights, entrenches fear of police and the criminal justice system as an additional burden on victims of violence. As advocates for w...omen who experience abuse, we know that fear of police responses has become a further deterrent for women to seek support and leave their abuser, and stories such as this intensifies and validates this fear. Member organizations of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia work with women who are highly pressured by police to testify against their alleged abuser. Through constant advocacy and victim engagement, they support women who are going through this re-traumatizing process, trying to ensure they can navigate systems safely. These police actions sends a deeply negative message to women experiencing abuse, who may be thinking about escaping but too afraid to do so. We urge the police to: integrate community supports and victim advocacy such as those offered by THANS members in a meaningful and sustainable manner; implement trauma-responsive approaches, and respect the safety, dignity, and human rights of victims as they navigate a system which already appears to be stacked against them.

Letter from the Metro Interagency Committee on Family Violence and Restorative Justice to Department of Justice condemning police brutality and calling for action: