Financial support missing link in domestic violence programs, survivor says

A woman abused by her husband for years says the Newfoundland and Labrador government should expand its support programs so more victims can leave abusive homes and they should have access to more information about their abusers.

Becky — not her real name — was trapped in a violent household for nearly two decades, and was subjected to verbal and physical assaults. CBC has agreed to protect her identity.

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Becky said, in addition to crippling fear, finances played a large role in her reluctance to leave her husband.

"The biggest thing for me was when it all happened and we had to leave the city and there was fear of him being released and coming after me," she said.

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"If I had funds at that point, I would have left the province with at least family, or would have gone to another city and stayed there until everything was dealt with."

Safe houses aren't always the answer ... as good as they are.- Becky

Always looking over your shoulder

Since her situation was considered high-risk, Becky said she was told to leave town, and possibly go into hiding.

"We were devastated. Our whole lives were turned upside down. But how do you do that without finances?" she said. "Just because I work doesn't mean I can afford to pick up tickets and move to a different country or a different province."

Becky wants the province to set up a fund that would be used to help domestic abuse survivors leave their homes, regardless of income. 

"Safe houses aren't always the answer ... as good as they are," she said.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government does offer a start-up allowance for domestic abuse victims to purchase furniture, linens and clothing as well as transportation to a safe place to stay.

Becky said because she wasn't a low income earner she wasn't able to get monetary support.

After hearing Becky's story Tuesday, Premier Paul Davis agreed with her suggestion and acknowledged programs are geared toward those with lower incomes.

"She's very right," he said.

"As a government we haven't done and focused on those people like we should have and I know our plan addresses that and it identifies that," Davis said, referencing the newly-announced violence prevention plan.

Where is he now?

Becky said financial support is just one gap in the system to help people who are trying to flee domestic violence.

She suggests survivors be kept in the loop about their abusers while they're incarcerated.

She said she would have liked to know what programs her husband participated in and whether he had changed.

"Otherwise you're living at home, you're looking out your windows, you're locking your doors, you're setting alarms, you're having bats and spray and everything because you're afraid and you're always looking over your shoulder," she said.

Connie Pike, former police officer and advocate, agrees victims need to be given more information in order to feel safe.

"Half of the assaults committed against women are [by] ex-partners so therefore what is the point for them to leave?' Pike said.

"They throw their hands up in defeat."

Statistics show one in three women in Newfoundland and Labrador are living in an abusive relationship to varying degrees.

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Between January and August of this year, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary responded to 1,269 domestic disturbance calls — 1,153 of which were on the northeast Avalon.

"We have to do more. I don't believe we've done enough," Pike said.

The province does notify victims when an offender is released, the length of their sentence and current convictions.

As for Becky, she is out of the relationship and her husband has been convicted and sentenced for the abuse she suffered.

"It might not be as severe as it was in the past, but I feel there still will be abuse down the road. I feel that there will still be disrespect."