New Domestic Violence Resources and Supports

We want to share some information about some new resources and supports that have recently been launched to assist our community members who are subject to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) / Domestic Violence (DV) / Gender-based Violence (GBV).

National Emergency Survivor Support Fund - NESS
​YWCA Canada has recently announced the creation of a national fund to help survivors of IPV/DV/GBV leave abusive living conditions, emergency shelters or precarious living situations.

YWCA Halifax is one of the YWCA locations administering the fund. A grant of up to $1000 is available to help pay for things like first/last month’s rent, moving and storage expenses, furniture, utilities arrears or set-up costs, expenses related to attaining permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship; and/or other essential expenses related to leaving violence and establishing safe, stable housing.
This fund is available to all women, trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people who are 16 years of age or older in Nova Scotia who are seeking support to leave abusive living conditions, leave emergency shelters or precarious housing conditions (staying with family/friends; couch-surfing or living unhoused) they were accessing as a result of experiencing violence. For full details and how to apply, head to www.tessns.ca/tess-blog/the-national-emergency-survivor-support-fund-ness.

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 Neighbours, Friends and Family Campaign
This is a public education campaign to raise awareness of the signs of domestic violence so that people close to an at-risk woman or an abusive man can help. It was first developed by the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children at Western University, and has been adapted by the NS Advisory Council on the Status of Women and the NS Legal Information Society specifically for Nova Scotians.

The NFF Campaign is a series of brochures and videos that can be easily shared on social media. Topics include 'How to help someone with an abusive partner,' 'How to talk to someone who is abusive' safety planning, 'How to spot the signs of domestic violence' and more. We encourage everyone to take a look and, if possible, share these resources to help increase the understanding of the part we all must play in ending domestic violence.