Houston government must do more to support survivors of gender-based violence

HALIFAX -The Nova Scotia NDP is renewing its call for the Houston government to support survivors of gender-based violence and provide stable funding to the organizations that support them.

Only six months into the year, two funds used by the YWCA to help survivors escape abuse are already depleted, and the organization is asking for donations to help them get through the year.

“The YWCA and other organizations that help survivors of gender-based violence do essential work, and it is disheartening that demand is increasing so significantly that they aren’t able to meet the need,” said NSNDP leader Claudia Chender. “The Houston government must better support the organizations that are working on the ground to aid survivors and eradicate gender-based violence. We need serious and sustained core funding to fight this epidemic.”

Sheri Taylor is the executive director of Leeside Society and the chair of Women’s Centres Connect, a provincial association of women’s centres. She said their clients rely on the YWCA’s December 6th Fund, which provides interest-free loans of $500 to survivors fleeing domestic violence.

“I’m extremely concerned. We’re inundated now with clients who need the services we provide,” said Taylor. “Inflation and the cost of living has gotten so out of control. Domestic violence survivors are trying to rebuild their lives and are often without the means they need to do so.”

In 2023, the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) recommended that all levels of government treat domestic violence as an epidemic that warrants a meaningful and society-wide response.

“The fact that the YWCA is running out of funds shows that the Houston government is not doing enough to support these organizations. We need to treat domestic and gender-based violence like the epidemic it is and provide epidemic-level resources to those working on the frontlines to stop it,” said NSNDP Justice Spokesperson Suzy Hansen. “Survivors deserve to know that help is there when they need it.The organizations that support them shouldn’t have to resort to fundraising to provide these services.”

Earlier this year, former Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns resigned after he publicly disagreed with this finding of the MCC and downplayed the seriousness of domestic violence. At the time, Chender called on the government to advance the MCC’s recommendations and better support groups working to fight gender-based violence.

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