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The Honourable Andrew Furey, M.H.A., F.R.C.S.C.
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
Dear Premier Furey,
Re: IPV Epidemic
I’m reaching out today, during the 16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women, to urge your government to declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic.
Unifor has long understood the importance of supporting workers beyond the workplace, and we see how members are affected by the increasing prevalence and severity of gender-based and intimate partner violence in Canada.
Intimate partner based violence grew dramatically during pandemic lockdowns and has not subsided. IPV has been and remains a serious threat to the well-being and lives of women across the world.
Declaring IPV an epidemic underscores its severity, promotes greater awareness, and advocates for a comprehensive response from both public health authorities and policymakers. This is a recommendation included in the National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Girls as well as Ontario’s Renfrew Inquest Report and the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission Report.
In Canada, one woman is killed by an intimate or former intimate partner every six days. Almost half – 44 per cent – of Canadian women report having been subjected to some form of IPV and are disproportionately victimized by the most severe forms of abuse.
This is a widespread public health emergency that needs to be declared an epidemic. People experiencing this form of violence are at higher risk of experiencing poor general health, mental health challenges including depression, cognitive impairment, and poor academic performance.
Unifor representatives, led by Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray, met with Minister Parsons and Minister Davis in October. Together, the ministers reported on several important initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador focused on reacting to intimate partner violence after it occurs – specifically through supporting women to leave violent situations. These are necessary initiatives, but they are not sufficient to end IPV.
Your government must focus just as much energy on preventing new instances of IPV as it does on supporting survivors after an incident of IPV has occurred.
To address the urgency of this issue, we ask that you immediately take steps to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. By recognizing it as an epidemic, your government can deliver resources and funding for prevention, education, and support services.
It was noted during the meeting with the Honourable Ministers Parsons and Davis that we could expect a status update this month, and look forward to another meeting in the new year.
Unifor is committed to furthering this goal, and to continuing to not only support survivors, but prevent further violence. We look forward to hearing from you in December and setting follow-up meetings for the new year.
Thank you for considering these concerns.
Sincerely,
Lana Payne Jennifer Murray
Unifor National President Unifor Atlantic Regional Director
