She wanted to exit an abusive relationship. She ended up being arrested

A Nova Scotia woman, who wishes to be identified as June, has bravely come forward to share her story of intimate partner violence. She spoke out following the deaths of six women in the province in the last three months, leaving her feeling a mix of grief, anger, and hopelessness.

June described her relationship with her ex-partner as initially “unbelievably great”, with him showering her with attention and affection. However, within six months, red flags started to appear. The couple would have heated fights followed by periods of reconciliation, where her partner would revert back to the caring person she had fallen in love with. This cycle of breaking up and getting back together continued, with June feeling confused and unsure of how to escape the escalating situation.

As the relationship turned more abusive, June found herself feeling afraid and trapped. Her ex-partner would follow her around, shouting and making threats. On one occasion, he even mimicked hitting her, causing June to fear for her safety. Despite expressing her concerns and asking him to move out, her ex-partner refused to leave and physically blocked her from exiting her apartment.

The situation came to a head when June attempted to pack up her ex’s belongings to leave the apartment. He responded by grabbing her in a chokehold and throwing her onto the bed. When she pushed him away in self-defense, he called the police on her, resulting in both of them being arrested. June was charged with assault, and her ex-partner was charged with assault and forcible confinement. They both went through the court system, signed a peace bond, and had the charges withdrawn by the Crown.

Reflecting on her experience with the justice system, June expressed deep disappointment and a sense of powerlessness. She criticized the mandatory arrest and charging policies in place, which she felt further stripped her of her voice and control over the situation. Despite the government’s commitment to advancing recommendations to address intimate partner violence, June called for more urgent and concrete actions to protect victims and prevent further tragedies.

June has since left the abusive relationship and wants other women in similar situations to know that they are deserving of love and not responsible for the abuse they endure. She urged them to seek help and support, emphasizing that they deserve better and should not tolerate any form of violence in their relationships.

For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there are support services available through crisis lines and local organizations. If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, please do not hesitate to call 911. Remember, you are not alone, and help is always available.