Having donated $50,000 each year to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton over the past five years, well-known Peterborough philanthropists David and Patricia Morton have stepped up once again to support women and children escaping domestic abuse in the Haliburton region — this year by donating $60,000.
The couple have been donors to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton for 13 years, and began their annual $50,000 donation at the height of the pandemic in 2020, when violence against women increased, especially during lockdowns. With this year’s $60,000 gift through the Morton Family Foundation, the couple’s six-year total donation to the YWCA has reached $310,000.
The Mortons say they increased their annual donation by $10,000 this year after seeing a need for even more support, as instances of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) are continuing to increase both nationally and locally.
“Police reports and other recent statistical data show that domestic abuse and IPV have actually increased since 2024,” Patricia says in a media release.
According to Statistics Canada, police services across the country in 2024 reported 349 victims of family violence per 100,000 individuals and 356 victims of IPV per 100,000 individuals aged 12 and older.
As a professor emerita who taught history and women’s studies for 26 years at Trent University, Patricia says she strongly believes that helping women is vital in creating a more safe and equitable society where families can live and thrive — something her husband David also believes.
“It is becoming almost a tradition for David and I to help support the wonderful work of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton,” Patricia says.
“This year, we are increasing the amount of our annual donation because, sadly, recent studies show that children who experience or witness domestic abuse and violence in their own homes have twice the rate of psychiatric disorders as children in non-violent homes.”
She adds that, so far, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has been able to accommodate all vulnerable rural women and children who are fleeing from domestic abuse and violence through its services in Haliburton County, which include the YWCA Women’s Centre and Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS).
For his part, David says he and Patricia “are very pleased to be able to continue our support of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.”
“The work that YWCA Peterborough Haliburton does to keep women who are at risk safe is obviously critical,” David says. “As a man, I am always shocked and appalled at how many men continue to abuse their partners. I have never been able to understand why this happens so frequently, but it is something that must somehow be addressed more seriously by social and government agencies.”
“And now, to learn that there have been a few human trafficking cases in Haliburton in recent years makes YWCA’s role even more crucial. We are so pleased to be able to continue to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s efforts as its activities in support of abused women are, unfortunately, more needed than ever.”
Both Patricia and David say they “deeply hope” their donation encourages other residents who can afford to do so to donate to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton .
“Let us all always remember that ‘There but for good fortune go you and I,'” the couple says.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is aiming to raise $200,000 this year for women and children in need through its annual holiday appearl campaign. To donate, visit wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E920251QE&id=1.
