Across Nova Scotia, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place. At the heart of it are the Women’s Centres—community-rooted, offering wrap-around services where anyone can walk in, for any reason, and find support. Connect’s presentation at the Be the Peace’ GBV Summit was meant to highlight just how critical and dynamic their role has become in preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV).
One Door, Any Reason
The Women’s Centres embody a simple yet radical principle: “One Door, Any Reason.” Whether a woman walks in seeking legal information, crisis counselling, or support for her children, she’s met with compassion, expertise, and resources. These centres address the full spectrum of needs—from acute crises to preventative education—working along the continuum of care defined by the social determinants of health.
Action Rooted in Truth and Reconciliation
The momentum behind knowledge synthesis is grounded in the following pivotal GBV reports, including:
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Reclaiming Power and Place (2019)
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Nova Scotia’s Equity and Anti-Racism Strategy (2023)
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National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence (2022)
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Mass Casualty Commission Report (2023)
These reports offer hard truths and powerful recommendations. The Women’s Centres are not only listening—they’re acting.
Over 200 GBV Prevention Actions in Just 9 Centres
This staggering number speaks volumes about the drive, innovation, and commitment of front-line staff and boards of Women’s Centres. Their action plans span several key areas:
1. Prioritizing Survivors
Women’s Centres continue to lead with survivor-centric services. From trauma-informed counselling to court accompaniment, the goal is clear: centre survivors’ needs and voices in every step of care and policy.
2. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
EDI isn’t an afterthought—it’s central. Centres are embedding equity through:
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A 10-module Equitability training
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Anti-Black Racism Policy development
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Weekly outreach to rural communities
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Peer programming for parents of trans kids
3. Children, Youth, and Families
Recognizing that families are often deeply impacted by GBV, the Centres have updated policies through a family-centered lens and are securing joint grants for essential needs like sexual health supplies and emergency food aid. They’re also investing in youth resiliency programs, often in collaboration with schools.
4. Men and Boys
Challenging gender norms and engaging men and boys as allies is a critical part of prevention. From grief and trauma workshops to programs in schools that foster emotional literacy in young boys, partnerships around these initiatives aim to transform harmful narratives at the root.
5. Monitoring What Matters
Innovative tools like centralized data collection and policy evaluation dashboards are helping the sector track what’s working—and what still needs to change. Feedback loops ensure continuous improvement and responsiveness to community needs.
A Call to Courage
The energy behind these actions is clear: real change begins when front-line wisdom is honoured, not ignored. The Connect network isn’t just advocating for policy reform—they’re building a future where no one faces violence alone, and where systems of care reflect dignity, diversity, and hope.
“Our hope is that these reports honour the wisdom within and offer ideas for immediate action that can be taken by
front staff and community organizations.”
Let’s Carry It Forward
This is more than a summary. It’s a movement. And it’s growing. Here is a link to the presentation that was prepared for the 2025 NS GBV Summit.
Recorded Presentation 2025 Connect Summary of GBV Action 20250407
Access the reports directly here.
