Alice House to conduct domestic violence session at upcoming fitness summit

Alice House provides safe, transitional housing for those impacted by domestic violence in the Halifax area

Original Article: 15 March 2019  |  Shelli Summers

Nova Scotia fitness professionals are being given the opportunity to not only learn about the latest fitness trends at an upcoming conference, but to also recognize signs of domestic violence.

Alice House provides safe, transitional housing for those impacted by domestic violence in the Halifax area.

An educator with the organization, Karen Spurr, said the focus will be looking at the connection between a trusted fitness professional and what someone affected by domestic violence might be going through.

"It's part of your daily routine. If you're going to a gym or if you're going into a yoga studio, you might be showing physical symptoms and signs, and that might be picked up on by somebody who's a fitness professional, but they are also in tune to recognize the non-physical signs."

The presentation will also go over the challenges and opportunities of working with someone experiencing gender-based violence

"How to show you believe the victim/survivor, and how to be there to provide safety planning and support, and then how to relieve isolation with referrals to appropriate resources in the greater community," she said.

Spurr will be presenting the 'SmartAlice Intimate Partner Violence Bystander Intervention Training' program at the Nova Scotia Fitness Association's annual summit on April 13.