Experiencing Domestic Violence and How To Improve Support for Survivors

Shennel Hunte, a peer support volunteer & board member of Women Aware explains her experience with domestic violence and how to improve support services for survivors. She says domestic violence can come in many forms, often it is not just physical, but can be emotional manipulation and emotional control by their partner. Hunte said this was the case for her, and when trying to leave things became physically violent. Hunte aimed to explain what red flags survivors can see in themselves when experiencing emotional domestic violence, including losing interest in their own hobbies or isolating themselves from others to only be with their partner. 

Hunte said the budget of almost $5 million per year from the government in order to create increased space in shelters is not enough, and that Women Aware was hoping for more money. She said one of the things Women Aware would do with extra funding is to create workshops for police to know how to handle responding to situations of domestic violence in a healthy way that does not re-traumatize the survivor. 

This interview was used for the previous episode of Local 514, which looks at the rise in domestic violence in Quebec during the pandemic and the barriers survivors face in escaping these situations. Within 8 weeks, 8 women have died from domestic violence in Quebec. Femicides are generally seen at much lower rates provincially. On average, Quebec records 12 femicides per year. Currently the amount of femicides in 2021 are at 10, with a death just days ago in the South Shore. To watch the full episode click here.