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Research / Library
Domestic Homicide in Nova Scotia
Our research into intimate partner homicides in Nova Scotia has provided us with invaluable information; it dispels many myths and shows some disturbing trends.
There are 33 cases of intimate partner homicide that are currently eligible to be included in the Silent Witness Nova Scotia Project. These women's deaths tell us important information about the dangers of domestic violence.
They show us that anyone can experience domestic violence. Some of these women lived in cities and some in rural communities; some came from economically stable homes and others lived on the edge of poverty; although young women do seem to be at greater risk, many of these women were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. These women also represent a broad range of cultural communities in Nova Scotia; some were from English communities, some from French and some from First Nations; some had immigrated to Canada, others had lived here their whole lives. Some were working women, others were stay-at-home moms. Some were only dating the man that killed them; others had been married to him for decades.
While we know that drinking and drug abuse do not cause domestic violence, the research indicates that they are often aggravating factors of domestic homicide.
It is also important to realize that for many of the women killed home was not a safe haven. Almost 94% of these women were killed in or near their homes or cottages. The remaining women were largely killed at their workplaces.
It is also important to realize that ending a relationship does not necessarily put an end to the violence. Almost 30% of these women were killed after ending the relationship. Women who leave are most at risk at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after leaving. For this reason ending a violent relationship can actually escalate the violence and this is why many women do not even attempt to leave. But there are services and programs available to women, and it is our hope that Silent Witness Nova Scotia will give women in abusive relationships and their families the impetus to act and protect themselves and their loved ones from domestic violence before it is too late.
Statistics and Resources
- Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women
- Statistics Canada
- Nova Scotia Department of Justice
- Independent researcher, Robin Hunter, contracted by Silent Witness Nova Scotia to research intimate partner homicide in Nova Scotia.
- Dr. Jacqueline Campbell, The John Hopkins University School of Nursing
Bibliography
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, October 2007 http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=85-224-XIE
Femicide : the politics of woman killing. Ed. Jill Radford and Diana E. H. Russell. New York : Twayne, 1992.
Brian Vallée. The War on Women: Elly Armour, Jane Hurshman, and Criminal Violence in Canadian Homes. Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2007.
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