History of the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

In the early to mid 1980s a small group of transition houses began opening their doors in Newfoundland and Labrador. Over time it was felt a strong voice was needed to establish services for the victims of family violence and bring people together to work at solving the problem of woman abuse. It was also felt that a strong voice was needed to lobby for the financial support needed to operate the transition houses and shelters. This voice would act for individuals working in these facilities so that frontline workers could focus on providing direct support needed by clients and their children. As a result, in 1987 the Provincial Association Against Family Violence (PAAFV), now the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL) was established. For the past nineteen years it has served as an umbrella organization for transition houses for abused women and children in Newfoundland and Labrador.

THANL makes a significant contribution to anti-violence activities in the province, including providing consultation on the establishment of transition houses, training for staff and management of shelters and raising public awareness.

THANL makes a significant contribution to anti-violence activities in the province, including providing consultation on the establishment of transition houses, training for staff and management of shelters and raising public awareness.

It is a basic human right to live without fear of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Such abuse is a criminal offence and it is everyone’s right to receive protection under the law regardless of relationship of the parties involved or where the crime occurs. This crime transcends all class culture and ethnic boundaries.

Violence is perpetuated by those who feel that they have a power over another. Abuse of women and children reflects patriarchal attitudes and the economic structure of our present society. Some abused women, such as economically disadvantaged, aboriginal, Francophone, disabled, immigrant, lesbian, teenager and elderly women, face an even great oppression.

Children’s lives are traumatized and often threatened by abuse and exposure to abuse. Their witnessing and normalizing of violence perpetuates the cycle of violence.

The Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, formerly the Provincial Association Against Family Violence, was established in June of 1987 as an umbrella organization for shelters and safe houses in Newfoundland and Labrador. We make a significant contribution to anti-violence activities in the province, including providing consultation on the establishment of transition houses, providing training for staff and management of shelters and raising public awareness. The Association acts as a liaison between the shelters and government and provides a representative view of shelter interests. Our membership consists of:

- Representatives from shelters working to help women and children with the trauma and after-affects of violence.

- Provides ongoing support to transition houses and shelters throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

- Provides training to board members, administrators, staff and volunteers of shelters throughout the province.

- Provides public information, education and advocacy.

- Provides analysis to the development of new transition houses/shelters and contributes to the provision of training, education and program development for shelter workers.

- Lobbying of both the federal and provincial governments regarding legislation and policies that affect victims of family violence.

- Provides on-going information and analysis to key provincial government departments involved in violence intervention and prevention initiatives.

- Compiles Newfoundland and Labrador transition house/shelter statistics.