Misogyny in Nova Scotia

I have spent the past few days thinking about what has come to light in provincial politics this week, the standards of behaviour and leadership we expect from our elected officials, as well as the impact on all of us when they fall short.

Misogyny is unacceptable. It does not reflect our values, and it has no place in our politics. Intimate partner violence and sexual violence do not appear out of nowhere. They take hold where the ground has been prepared for them.

We don’t have to agree on whether song lyrics are violent, lead to violence, or are just offensive. But we can acknowledge that we expect a higher standard from our leaders.

It is Premier Houston’s responsibility to determine whether Minister MacLeod’s conduct meets the standard he expects of a cabinet minister. In turn, Nova Scotians will decide whether Minister MacLeod’s conduct and the Premier’s response meet the standards they expect from their government.

Thank you to Adsum House for speaking out on this issue this week. Organizations doing this work every day bring an important perspective, and I appreciate them adding their voice.

Their statement is also a good reminder that support is available for anyone affected by these issues. If you or someone you know needs help, here are some resources:

Sexual Violence: A Nova Scotia Resource. A free, self-paced course created through Nova Scotia's Sexual Violence Strategy: https://breakthesilencens.ca/training/

Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. Online training on recognizing and responding to gender-based violence, for practitioners and for the public: https://thans.ca/online-training/

Status of Women, Government of Nova Scotia. Provincial gender-based violence resources and supports: https://women.novascotia.ca/gender-based-violence-resources

Adsum for Women & Children. Halifax organization providing shelter, housing, and advocacy: https://adsumforwomen.org

Men’s Intervention Programs. Resources for men who are worried about using violence or abusive behaviour: Men's Intervention Programs | Nova Scotia Department of Community Services