Government Invests in Community Projects to Prevent Domestic Violence
Twenty-four community organizations and groups are receiving grants to prevent domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is a complex issue that affects too many Nova Scotians,” said Kelly Regan, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, today, April 29. “What we learn from these projects, along with the deep expertise in our communities, will help build the best plan for addressing and preventing domestic violence.”
The grants, totalling $912,000, are part of the work to develop Standing Together, a provincial plan to prevent domestic violence and support victims and their families.
A wide range of projects are receiving grants. They include ones focused on addressing domestic violence in specific communities, including African Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaw communities, as well as projects focused on engaging and developing supports for groups such as children and youth, men and boys, girls and young women and women with disabilities.
“We welcome the support of the province for our project, Not Just Victims of Family Violence: Our Children, Our Future,” said Shiva Nourpanah, provincial co-ordinator of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. “We developed this two-year project in partnership with SeaStar Child and Youth Advocacy Centre at the IWK Health Centre. It will deliver expert, trauma-informed training on working with children who have experienced domestic and family violence to the staff of our member organizations, and put standardized, consistent practices in place across the province.”
Eleven of the 24 grant recipients received Standing Together Shift grants, which provide up to $75,000 to help organizations explore, develop and test new ideas for preventing domestic violence and providing support to victims and their families.
Thirteen projects received Standing Together Prevention grants. These grants provide up to $10,000 for projects that raise awareness of domestic violence and encourage people and communities to get involved and take action.
Research Nova Scotia is administering the grants. The recipients were selected by an independent review committee.
For a list of projects receiving grants, please see www.novascotia.ca/standingtogether .