Three N.S. women killed in 3 weeks by intimate partner violence

RCMP have now confirmed that the death of a man and a woman in Yarmouth, N.S., last week is another case of fatal intimate partner violence — the third in as many weeks in the province.

In a statement Thursday, RCMP said the 58-year-old man killed his 49-year-old partner before taking his own life. Their bodies were discovered in a house on a quiet cul-de-sac in Yarmouth on Friday.

The first of these cases happened on Oct. 18 in Enfield, when Mike Burke, a 60-year-old retired Mountie, killed his wife, Brenda Tatlock-Burke.

On Nov. 4, Halifax Regional Police found two bodies in a Cole Harbour home. Police say a 71-year-old woman was killed by her partner, a 72-year-old man who died as a result of self-inflicted wounds. 

The head of a Nova Scotian group that advocates on behalf of victims of intimate partner violence says more needs to be done to address the issue. 

Addressing intimate partner violence

"Our hearts go out to the families and communities impacted by those recent tragedies," said Ann de Ste Croix, executive director of Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS).

"Unfortunately, what it shows is the sometimes deadly impacts of intimate partner violence."

Her group has been canvassing politicians during the current Nova Scotia election campaign, to see what concrete action they're prepared to take to address intimate partner violence.

Two months ago, members of the provincial legislature voted unanimously to pass a motion recognizing the problem.

"In the most recent provincial budget, we did see an increase in core funding for our transition houses and women's centres in the province, which was the first in over a decade," de Ste Croix said.

"That was a positive step, but I think more needs to be done. There needs to be more funding for more community-based organizations; those at the front lines providing direct support to women and those impacted by violence."

Political leaders react

For Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, the deaths in Yarmouth cut close to home.

"One of them happened in my community with someone whom I know and it's tragic and we have to do better," Churchill said during a campaign stop Wednesday.

"In our platform we will create an office in the Health Department to deal with this and support women. We'll also be investing in the women's centres and those community-based organizations that provide the direct, front-line support for women who are fleeing violence or struggling with it in their home."

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said the unanimous vote in the legislature was a good first step but more needs to be done.

"I think it's one thing to note that we have an epidemic," said Chender. "Now we have to act to make a difference."

PC Leader Tim Houston highlighted the work being done by the government and organizations in response to the Mass Casualty Commission report into the April 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia.

"Domestic and gender-based violence is an issue our government takes very seriously," Houston said in a statement.

"The Mass Casualty Commission was clear that domestic violence played a role in the tragedy that occurred in 2020, and I have never waivered from our government's commitment to carrying out the recommendations of that report."

Urban vs. rural areas

De Ste Croix said one of the things THANS would like to see politicians tackle is the disparity between the level of service available to women in urban areas like Halifax versus the sparser level of services in rural parts of the province.

In addition to surveying politicians to find out what concrete actions they propose, THANS has launched a public awareness campaign. They're shining purple lights on Nova Scotia landmarks, including Province House in Halifax and the fiddle on the Sydney waterfront to mark November as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• A list of transition houses across Nova Scotia.
• Family violence resources helpline 1-855-225-0220.
• The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website.
• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.