Remembering Heather Byrne: A Legacy of Compassion and Advocacy
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Heather Byrne, who served as Executive Director of Alice House for eight years, from 2014 to 2022. A passionate advocate for women and children experiencing intimate partner violence, Heather brought compassion, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her work. When she first joined Alice […]
2026 Holiday Wish List
Help Make the Holidays Brighter for Alice House Families For some women and children at Alice House, this will be their first holiday season in a new home after leaving an abusive relationship. As they rebuild their lives and create new traditions together, you can help make the season a little brighter! Each year, our […]
Misconceptions About Intimate Partner Violence
In this blog, Program Coordinator Jennifer McNaughton explores some of the most common misconceptions about IPV, addressing why leaving is often complex and dangerous, how abuse can happen behind closed doors, and why there is no single “look” or “type” of survivor. Read on to learn more. What Are Common Misconceptions About IPV? Intimate Partner […]
Understanding Safety Planning
Why Doesn’t She Just Leave? Understanding the Barriers to Leaving an Abusive Relationship At Alice House, we know that one of the most common questions people ask about intimate partner violence is, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” Yet the answer is often far more complex than many realize. In this blog, Program Coordinator Jennifer McNaughton […]
Beyond Talk: How Art and Play Therapy Help Children Heal from IPV
At Alice House, we support children and youth who have experienced or witnessed intimate partner violence. In this blog, our Child & Youth Counselling Therapist, Ali Peddle, shares how expressive arts and play therapy can help young people process their experiences in ways that feel safe and accessible. Read on to learn more about why […]
This Mother’s Day, Help Rebuild Her Village
This Mother’s Day, your gift can go twice as far. Thanks to a generous contribution from Innovative Numerix, every donation to Alice House will be matched up to $2,500 until Mother’s Day. Give today and double your impact > Rebuilding her village It takes a village to raise a child. But for many of […]
Black Women and Intimate Partner Violence: Unique Barriers to Help Seeking in Nova Scotia
As part of African Heritage Month, Alice House is sharing a blog by our Family Violence Awareness Coordinator, Shannon Gumbs. She explores the unique, often overlooked barriers Black women face when seeking support for IPV in Nova Scotia and why culturally responsive care matters. Read on to learn more. Layers of Barriers, History, and Disproportionate Risk Black women in Nova Scotia experience […]
Second Stage Housing – More than a roof
“I didn’t know what safety felt like,” an Alice House client shared. “Now … I know what it feels like to have somewhere safe to live.” We should all feel safe and supported at home. Yet in Nova Scotia more than 30% of women report experiences with intimate partner violence (IPV) – so many that […]