High risk for lethality protocol development in Nova Scotia

The purpose of this thesis research was to examine the current development of protocols to facilitate the sharing of information in cases of domestic violence that have been deemed to be high risk for lethality in the province of Nova Scotia. As a former front line worker and current executive director of a transition house and outreach services for abused women and their children, I approached this topic as both student and professional.;The results of my research show that while the goal of the government departments may be to increase victim safety, those involved in the process are skeptical about the ability of the protocol to achieve that goal.;I conducted a literature review of materials related to the theories regarding the reasons for the existence of domestic violence and woman abuse. I reviewed literature, research and government documents in order to understand and discuss the history of the governmental response to domestic violence in Nova Scotia. I interviewed eight professionals working within agencies that are involved in the development of the protocols.