We are facing such difficult times in our communities, in our province and across Canada. As if the devastation of COVID was not enough, we have faced tragedy after tragedy. Three strong, young courageous women – all from Nova Scotia – recently lost their lives doing what they loved and in the line of duty. Captain Jenn Casey was killed in the Snowbird Crash in BC. Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough was killed in the helicopter crash near Greece while returning from a NATO mission. This was just one week after she had performed a piper’s tribute to Heidi Stevenson, the RCMP officer who lost her life in the senseless mass shooting in Nova Scotia. Our sincere heartfelt condolences go out to all those who have lost someone during this time.
So many of the mass killings in Canada have been fueled by hate and the Nova Scotia massacre was no different. This was not a case of ‘domestic’ violence – it was the result of one man’s misogyny. It was a stark wake-up call that men’s violence and hatred of women extends far beyond the home; far beyond the interpersonal relationship; it is a virus that spreads throughout our community and affects the lives of so many others. To think that violence against women is a ‘family’, ‘domestic’ or ‘relationship’ issue has to stop. That thought process puts everyone’s safety and wellbeing in danger. Violence against women is a hate crime and we have to start calling it what it is if we truly want to get to the root of it and stop more of these senseless tragedies from happening in our homes, our communities, our provinces and our country. Enough is enough.
There has been a scary silence in our community since COVID-19 took over. Even though our shelter and counselling services remain open, the phone has not been ringing. While many of us may feel cooped in, isolated and alone during the COVID restrictions, the reality for women who are being abused is that they are cooped in, isolated and alone during COVID with their abuser 24/7. They can’t get out, they can’t make phone calls. One woman in desperation called us and said she had 20 minutes to escape. The women who we have been seeing are mostly brought to us by police who have intervened in a violent altercation. The violence these women have experienced is devastating and more severe than we have witnessed in a long time.
As the restrictions are lifted and people are going back to work, we expect to see a dramatic increase in the number of calls and walk-ins to our Shelter and Resource Centre. In fact, recently we had 5 women calling for help in one day, the first week some restrictions were lifted. Women will be taking the opportunity to flee, risking COVID in a communal residential setting over the hell they have been living with in isolation. What a choice to have to make.
COVID has taken its toll on Women’s Resources financially. In order to provide a safe place for self-isolation we have converted three units at Amy’s Second Stage Housing into separate shelter units. Furnishing these units, increased security measures and loss of rental revenue has had a significant impact financially. In addition, Vicky’s Values, not deemed as an essential service, has been closed since March and we just reopened on June 22 with many safety procedures in place. Our losses have been huge, approximately $25,000 a month of Vicky’s revenue that is needed to help us supplement programs and services not funded by the government. It is also run by a contingent of volunteers and many are seniors who we want to keep healthy and safe. Many of these precious volunteers have chosen not to come back, understandable. I am happy to say though that the volunteers that have returned are dedicated to bringing Vicky’s back to capacity alongside our hardworking staff and for this we are very grateful.
We know that our local businesses and community members are struggling financially as a result of COVID and it will take months for people to rebound. There will not be a lot of disposable income to support charities so we anticipate a significant loss in revenue from our fundraising stream. We have already cancelled or postponed plans for many of our scheduled fundraising events in the foreseeable future and these are events that generate much needed revenue. It is a time when we need you more than ever, to stay with us and help us to get through the challenges still to come.
Our priority remains the safety of women fleeing abuse while keeping everyone safe from the pandemic – clients, staff and volunteers – and stopping the spread of COVID. Again, these are difficult times, but we will continue to fight to be here for the women who need us – one day at a time.
Please, consider a contribution. We need you.
Be safe, be well.
Lori Watson, Executive Director