The silent crisis that’s been devastating New Brunswick communities for generations is finally getting the government attention it demands. Last week, the provincial government unveiled a comprehensive intimate partner violence strategy that commits $10.3 million over three years to address what advocates have long described as a public health emergency.
“This isn’t just about domestic disputes anymore—we’re talking about a systemic issue that crosses all socioeconomic boundaries,” explained Beth Morrison, executive director of the Fredericton Women’s Shelter, who attended the announcement. “The fact we’re seeing dedicated funding shows a shift in how seriously the province is taking this problem.”
For years, New Brunswick has struggled with alarming rates of intimate partner violence. According to Statistics Canada data released last fall, the province has consistently ranked among the highest per capita for police-reported intimate partner violence incidents, with rural communities often bearing the heaviest burden.
What makes this policy announcement different is its multi-pronged approach. The funding will support emergency shelters, counseling services, and—perhaps most significantly—a new court-mandated intervention program for offenders. The program requires those charged with intimate partner violence to complete education sessions before their cases proceed through the justice system.
Social Development Minister Jill Green emphasized that the policy was developed after extensive consultation with frontline workers and survivors. “We listened to the experts—the people living this reality every day,” Green said during the press conference in Moncton. “Their voices shaped every aspect of this strategy.”
The announcement comes after the heartbreaking case of Sarah Johnston, whose 2022 death in Miramichi sparked community outrage when it was revealed she had sought help multiple times before her partner took her life. The case triggered protests across the province demanding better protection systems.
Critics, however, note that the $10.3 million, while significant, falls short of what advocates originally requested. Opposition Social Development critic Robert McKee pointed out that Quebec recently announced a $180 million five-year plan to address similar issues.
“While this is a start, we have to ask if this funding truly matches the scale of the problem,” McKee said. “New Brunswick women deserve more than partial solutions.”
The funding breakdown reveals where priorities lie: $4.8 million for emergency housing supports, $3.2 million for the offender intervention program, and $2.3 million for a 24/7 provincial crisis line and public education campaigns. The remaining funds will support training for healthcare providers and first responders who are often the first point of contact for victims.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the strategy’s focus on rural communities, where isolation often compounds the difficulty of escaping violent situations. The plan includes mobile crisis teams that will serve communities outside major centers.
Stephanie Beattie, who survived an abusive relationship in rural Charlotte County, described the challenges she faced when seeking help. “When you’re 40 minutes from the nearest RCMP detachment, and everyone knows everyone’s business, reporting abuse takes incredible courage,” she told me in an interview last year. “This new mobile approach might be the difference between life and death for women in similar situations.”
The strategy also acknowledges the disproportionate impact of intimate partner violence on Indigenous women. Representatives from the province’s First Nations communities participated in the policy development, ensuring culturally appropriate supports will be available.
Chief Patricia Bernard of Madawaska Maliseet First Nation called the inclusive approach “a step toward reconciliation in action.” She noted that “addressing violence requires understanding the unique contexts in which it occurs, especially for Indigenous women who face intersecting barriers.”
Public health experts have long argued that intimate partner violence should be treated as a public health crisis rather than strictly a criminal justice issue. Dr. Jenna Thompson, a researcher at the University of New Brunswick who specializes in trauma-informed care, praised this aspect of the strategy.
“The intervention program for offenders represents a significant shift,” Thompson explaine
