Intimate partner violence remains a growing crisis in Nova Scotia, with two recent intimate partner homicides in Mahone Bay and Bridgewater underscoring the urgency of the issue.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” is a call for faster, more effective efforts to prevent gender-based violence.
Sue Bookchin, Executive Director of Be the Peace Institute, says current responses are not enough.
“Governments have introduced measures like domestic violence courts and legal supports, but we’re not moving fast enough,” she said. “This issue requires everyone’s involvement—family members, coworkers, neighbors—to recognize signs of violence and intervene safely.”
Advocates say addressing intimate partner violence requires both government action and community involvement. The Mass Casualty Commission identified gender-based violence as a key factor leading up to the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia. It called for a “whole-of-society response” to prevention, including better education, early intervention, and stronger support services.
Bookchin emphasizes that prevention must include men. “Most men do not use violence, but most violence is committed by men,” she said. “We need male allies to be part of the solution, challenging harmful behaviors and supporting gender equity.”
With gender-based violence declared an epidemic in Nova Scotia, advocates are pushing for stronger commitments from all levels of government. They say increased funding, better legal protections, and community-led initiatives are essential to making real change.
A community discussion on these issues is set for Saturday at the Lunenburg School of the Arts, organized by Be the Peace Institute, Second Story Women’s Centre, South Shore Sexual Health, and Harbour House.
Speakers include Justice Minister Becky Druhan, Lunenburg MLA Susan Corkum-Greek, and local mayors, along with Michael MacDonald, Chief Commissioner of the Mass Casualty Commission, who will deliver the keynote address.
The event runs from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and is open to the public.
