Representative Image of Gender based violence. Image credit: Unsplash/Sneha Sivarajan
Describing gender-based violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia and across Canada, authors of the final report into Nova Scotia’s April 2020 mass shooting said it requires a society-wide response, and are recommending all levels of government to warrant a meaningful and sustained society-wide response.
“Women have been carrying, through community-based organizations, the burden of protecting women almost exclusively for far too long,” Michael MacDonald, MCC commissioner, reportedly told reporters Thursday and noted leaders also have a role to play for educating people and services in place.
“Men who are leaders in society have to call it out for what it is it’s an epidemic,” MacDonald said.
It was noted by the report that the gunman was abusive and controlling to women around him, including his common-law spous long before he brutally shot and killed 22 Nova Scotians,
Being pleased with the final report, Kristina Fifield, a trauma therapist with Avalon Sexual Assault Centre in Halifax said
“What the report has done in the recommendations is making sure there is core funding to gender-based violence organizations,” Fifield said.
“Because it’s vitally important for our communities here in Nova Scotia and across our country,” she said.
The Commissioners also critized the RCMP for it treatemnt to the gunman’s common-law spouse, Lisa Banfield, and said she was re-victimized by the investigation.
After beng charged for supplying the gunman with ammunition, Banfield’s charges were eventually dropped after she completed a restorative justice program.
“This report is the first step in giving back to Ms. Banfield her voice,” said Jessica Zita, Banfield’s lawyer.
The RCMP admiited that Banfield was treated with a trauma-informed approach.
“I do recognize that Ms. Banfield was the first casualty. We are facing litigation, and so I’m limited in really getting into the full story at this particular time,” said Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP.
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