More Supports for Indigenous and African Nova Scotian Survivors of Violence

The Governments of Nova Scotia and Canada are teaming up to support Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women and families who have experienced violence.

Both are investing $1 million in Creating Communities of Care – a project to support survivors of gender-based violence in Halifax’s urban Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and to have access to the supports they need for a better life,” said Kelly Regan, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “We know Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities need services that are grounded in their culture.

“The partners who stepped up to carry this work now have the funding they need to help these communities overcome the unique barriers they face when they experience violence.”

“Services and supports for gender-based violence survivors and their families need to consider the unique experiences, cultural traditions and practices of these communities,” said Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality.

“Over the next few years, government and community partners will work together to develop supports and services to help gender-based violence survivors heal, recover, and rebuild their lives.”

Since December, the Mi’kmaw Legal Support Network, the Association of Black Social Workers, the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia have been asking survivors what matters most to them. Their aim was to develop a deeper understanding of how to better serve and support these communities.

“As an organization working with the African Nova Scotian community, we have often been in spaces where our identities and experiences are erased and further marginalized,” said Crystal John, president, Association of Black Social Workers. “Our journey toward a framework of prevention and safety focuses on the most marginalized communities and discusses how multiple forms of oppression intersect with sexism. We are fortunate to provide a culturally safe space where voices of the African Nova Scotian Community are heard and valued.”

Creating Communities of Care is a collaboration through Standing Together – Nova Scotia’s commitment to build a co-ordinated action plan to prevent domestic violence and support victims. The learnings from this project and others will help inform the plan.

For more information about Standing together, go to https://novascotia.ca/standingtogether .