Intimate partner death highlights larger crisis in Nova Scotia: advocate

Advocates and frontline workers are expressing concern with several cases of intimate partner violence in Nova Scotia.

The Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) says the death of Patricia Annette Tanner, 83, of Bridgewater, N.S., is part of a larger issue.

“Unfortunately, it underscores the sometimes-lethal impacts of intimate partner violence here in Nova Scotia,” says Ann de Ste Croix, the association’s executive director. “(It) just highlights the crisis that we’re experiencing.”

Nova Scotia Justice Minister Becky Druhan says the homicide is “absolutely heartbreaking.”

“It’s devastating for family, it’s devastating for neighbours and it’s devastating for community,” Druhan told reporters Tuesday.

Druhan says Tanner’s death on Sunday serves as a reminder of how entrenched intimate partner violence is in the province.

Tanner’s husband, Andrew Dawson Tanner, is accused of first-degree murder.

Police said she was injured from “what appeared to be an assault with a weapon,” but didn’t share details about the weapon or what led to the assault.

Druhan says more than $100 million has been budgeted to address intimate partner violence and gender-based violence across government, but noted it’s about more than money.

“We are connecting with communities and with advocates, with experts, and with survivors as well, to make sure that that broad understanding informs the work that we do so that we can finally make headway,” said Druhan.

One of those organizations that has met with the provincial government is THANS.

“We need more safe and affordable housing in the province,” said de Ste Croix. “We also need more second-stage housing, which is housing that is still under the umbrella and connected to our organizations, but that is longer term and is at a discounted rental rate.”

Seven women have died in Nova Scotia since October in alleged cases of intimate partner violence.

de Ste Croix believes it’s a combination of more occurrences and more reporting.

In this case, Bridgewater police said Monday there was no history of intimate partner violence between the couple – and neither of them had a violent past.

“Out of respect for the family that is dealing with this trauma at this time, I would ask that we just refrain from speculating until we have those answers,” said Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell in an interview Monday.

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