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Unifor members, community advocates, and frontline service providers gathered in St. John’s, N.L., on Friday, November 28 for an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Symposium. The symposium was dedicated to combating IPV and advocating for the declaration of IPV as an epidemic by the provincial government.
The event marked the third regional symposium held as part of Unifor’s comprehensive campaign that advocates for governments across the country to take decisive action to end intimate partner violence.
“Building on the momentum we have seen in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, this symposium is an important step in our campaign to ensure every province officially declares intimate partner violence an epidemic,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Jennifer Murray. “We know that this declaration is key to unlocking funding, education, and community-wide responses that survivors desperately need.”
Murray welcomed attendees that included Unifor members and other labour movement representatives and members, special guests from the NL NDP, frontline service organizations and advocates, and NL Deputy Minster Sharlene Jones from the Ministry for the Office of Women and Gender Equality.
“Declaring IPV an epidemic means we recognize that it’s not just an individual problem, it’s a societal failure — one we cannot afford to ignore,” said Murray in her remarks. “When IPV is hidden behind closed doors, it grows. But when we shine a light on it, when we speak up, support survivors and demand systemic change, we break the cycle.”
Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey set the stage for a day of learning and collaboration and introduced the Unifor Atlantic Regional Council Women’s Committee members in attendance (Doretta Strickland, FFAW-Unifor in N.L., and Koren Beaman, MWF-Local 1 in N.S.) and thanked other committee members Erin MacDonald (Local 506 in N.B.) and Lori Lynn Earle (Local 410 in N.L.) for their dedication and hard work.
President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) Jessica McCormick spoke about the importance of the advocacy and support work being done.
“I want to underscore how important the gender-based violence workforce is and how essential these workers are to advancing [community safety],” said McCormick. “Whether in the gender-based violence sector but also in home care, long-term care, child care — care work broadly that is done, paid and unpaid, has historically been and continues to be undervalued.”
The morning included a comprehensive IPV workshop led by Strickland, Beaman and Gwen Campbell, National Representative in the Unifor Women’s Department. Participants engaged in discussions about the evolving dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence and explored innovative approaches to supporting survivors and working together to end the cycle of violence.
In the afternoon, a powerful Community Organization Panel featured Olivia Lynch from Violence Prevention Avalon East, Jess Thornhill from the St. John’s Women’s Centre, and Brittany Landry from Cara Transition House. They offered insights into the most pressing issues facing frontline services and opportunities for advocacy and collaboration.
Community organization tables were also present throughout the day, providing delegates with resources and opportunities to learn more.
Unifor Women’s Director Tracey Ramsey provided a legislative overview with insight into Unifor’s advocacy efforts across Canada, including the unanimous declarations passed in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to declare IPV an epidemic. Ramsey outlined the importance of every province declaring IPV an epidemic as a path to mounting a comprehensive societal response.
Following the legislative overview, Intimate Partner Violence Survivor and Advocate, Georgina McGrath, shared her personal story. Georgina’s experience inspired her to advocate for the Senate to pass “Georgina’s Law”, which aims to ensure survivors have access to the supports they need.
Content Warning – Intimate Partner Violence
“When the date of my last beating drew close to the mark of a year, I decided with support that I would no longer allow it to define me as a victim but as a survivor. I began to speak out, taking a chance of great negativity in society because not many people spoke about getting beaten,” said McGrath. “In January of 2017, I contacted Senator Fabian Manning, and in 2018 we introduced Bill S-249 which is an Act Respecting National Action for the Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence.
“Yes, eight years ago.”
In November 2024, Georgina’s Law passed with unanimous support and she and Senator Manning hope that it will be introduced in the House of Commons by Spring 2026 and will then become law.
Her story served as a potent reminder of the human experiences behind intimate partner violence and the need to be persistent in fighting for change.
The day concluded with a yoga and meditation session led by Pam Senior, helping delegates re-centre after a day of emotionally heavy but important conversations.
“I am so grateful to all of the participants that joined us today,” added Ramsey. “We are mobilized and ready to continue this fight alongside our allies. We are calling on the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to hear us loud and clear – it’s time to act. The time to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic is now.”
Unifor is committed to continue this important advocacy until all provinces recognize the IPV crisis for what it is — an epidemic — and will keep working to ensure survivors receive the resources and support they need to heal and build a life free of violence.
Learn more about the Unifor campaign to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic on our website.
See photos of the event on the Unifor Facebook page.
