HerStory
The Transition House opened in Prince Rupert in March 1981, following more than three years of work by a local feminist group. Prince Rupert Options for Women became concerned about the issues of battering when they were approached in 1978 to act as advocates for a local woman who was assaulted by her husband. An application was made to the Secretary of State for a grant to study the incidence of wife assault in the community. This study was carried out by Barbara Field, a student at the University of Victoria, and was published in the fall of 1978.
As a result, Options for Women began canvassing for local support. The group also began taking victims of family violence into their homes on referral from the RCMP and the local hospital. After one year of the operating this “emergency shelter system”, it was found to be inadequate for several reasons and was discontinued.
In March of 1980, the Prince Rupert Transition House Society was founded. The Society approached the city for startup funding, while continuing to press the Ministry of Human Resources for a commitment to fund the operation of a Transition House. Negotiations with the Ministry began in the summer of 1980 and continued through the fall. A contract was signed on January 23, 1981 . By this time, and conditional to the contract, a facility had been located. The City of Prince Rupert agreed in January to rent the newly vacated Pioneer Home to the Society. A staff of four was hired on February 24, and on March 8, 1981, Maud Bevan House, as it was then named, opened its doors.
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