
Strengthening the health system response to VAW
Nova Scotia has the highest provincial prevalence of self-reported intimate partner violence among women in Canada. Healthcare providers serve as an important point of contact for identifying and supporting women experiencing violence because violence against women has significant negative impacts on women’s health. In line with the goals of Nova Scotia's health authorities and the provincial government, which declared in September 2024 that intimate partner violence is an epidemic, this program of work aims to strengthen responses to violence against women in the health system. We aim to advance a learning health system across that can continuously improve how well its programs meet the needs of survivors of violence against women.
Project Partners
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IWK Health
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Nova Scotia Health
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Government of Nova Scotia
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Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
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Women's Centres Connect
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Health Association of African Canadians
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Advisory group of women with lived experience of violence
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Indigenous Advisory Group (co-led with the Mi'kmaw Family Healing Centre)
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African Nova Scotian Working Group
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Immigrant and Newcomer Health Working Group
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Community Advisory Group, including anti-violence, women's health, and sexual health organizations from across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario



