Lisa Banfield's visit to psychologist opens debate about how to help abuse victims

A psychologist was among multiple people who knew the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooter abused his spouse, but intimate-partner violence does not fall under mandatory reporting laws for that profession in Canada.

Even if this rule was in place and the abuse had been disclosed to police, experts working with domestic abuse survivors in the province say bringing in law enforcement often makes these situations worse.

"There's not enough supports even for those things that require mandatory reporting," said Kristina Fifield, a trauma therapist with Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax.

"Unfortunately, it's not working." 

Lisa Banfield had a relationship with Gabriel Wortman for 19 years before the night he attacked her in Portapique on April 18, 2020, and began a rampage that would leave 22 people dead and multiple homes destroyed.

Through Banfield's interviews with police, the Mass Casualty Commission leading the public inquiry, and her inquiry testimony a month ago, she has described the extensive physical and emotional abuse she suffered from the gunman.

She said Wortman had placed a gun to her head on multiple occasions, and threatened to kill her or her family if she ever left him.

The only time Banfield said she went for help about the abuse was when she saw a psychologist in Bedford, according to a letter she wrote to the commission. She did not say when this took place.

The therapist was "supporting me and encouraging me to leave Gabriel," she said, and told Banfield she was in an abusive relationship. But when the gunman found out Banfield was seeing a professional, she said he made her stop. 

"I knew if I didn't, he would beat me up. He threatened to confront the doctor. I was trapped," Banfield said.

Fifield, who is also Avalon's representative in a coalition with other women's groups participating in the inquiry, said she was glad to see Banfield had a safe space to feel supported, even if for a short time.

In Nova Scotia, psychologists are obliged to report abuse of children or certain adults including vulnerable seniors, but not intimate-partner violence.

 Fifield said helping people in abusive relationships is a complex and often lengthy process and requires a lot of trust — something that may be lost if a victim knew their case would be reported to police.

"That is going to limit the conversation, that is going to create a situation where a person is not going to … discuss what's important and what their needs are," Fifield said.