Six Maritimers killed by domestic violence in three months, raising urgent calls for action
CTV
Six lives have been lost to domestic violence across the Maritimes in the past three months, sparking renewed calls for intervention and preventive measures.
Six lives have been lost to domestic violence across the Maritimes in the past three months, sparking renewed calls for intervention and preventive measures.
“It’s saddening,” said Ann de Ste Croix, executive director of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. “It highlights the urgency of the situation.”
On New Year’s Eve in Halifax, Cora-Lee Smith and her father, Bradley Downey, were killed by Matthew Costain, who was in a relationship with Smith.
A week before, a woman was allegedly killed by her husband in Saint John, N.B., on Christmas Eve.
Three Nova Scotia women also died in separate incidents of intimate partner violence in Cole Harbour, Enfield and Yarmouth in the fall.
“We need to see substantial investments in prevention and intervention services. We need to see more wrap-around supports for victims and survivors, as well as their families,” said de Ste Croix.
Between 2018 and 2023, domestic violence increased by 13 per cent across Canada, with 78 per cent of victims being women. Psychologist Dayna Lee-Baggley said the barriers for victims include trauma, fear and systemic challenges.
