EDITOR’S NOTE: In our ongoing series about intimate partner violence in the province, we spoke with a New Brunswick advocate and survivor who opened up about her experience.
We also interviewed Lyne Chantal Boudreau, the provincial minister in charge of women’s equality, to discuss the province’s response to this issue.
Here’s an overview of what support workers in the province are observing and how they manage their roles.
Children often remain hidden victims of intimate partner violence in Canada. A non-profit organization in Fredericton is dedicated to helping them feel safe while navigating their complex emotions.
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Liberty Lane provides support to survivors of intimate partner violence and has recently introduced a program specifically for their children.
“When we consider the entire family, it’s clear that domestic violence affects not just the protective parent, typically the mother, but the children also suffer negative consequences,” stated Meaghan Ross, the child and youth guidance coordinator at Liberty Lane.
Abusers sometimes manipulate children to continue their control by sending messages through them to the survivors. They may also threaten or try to limit access to the children, causing distress to both survivors and the children caught in these situations.
“This negatively impacts their emotional well-being. They often feel a lack of trust, along with feelings of shame and personal responsibility,” Ross noted.
Liberty Lane aims to assist children in processing their emotions and understanding how to manage their feelings. However, there are significant challenges, particularly in relation to family law and child welfare systems.
“When you feel you’ve done substantial work with a client but things don’t go as hoped and the children are taken into care, that’s often one of the toughest scenarios,” Ross remarked.
For additional insights, check out the video above.
If you are experiencing intimate partner violence, please call 911 in case of emergencies. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, support services are accessible by dialing 211.
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