Hamilton mayor discloses past intimate partner violence amid rental property dispute

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath has revealed that she’s a survivor of intimate partner violence.

The disclosure comes amid a dispute over a run-down rental property that the mayor owns on West Avenue. 

It’s currently occupied by her former partner, and is before the Property Standards Committee. 

Horwath had been appealing a ruling made by the committee that required her to do major repairs on the unit.

In a statement released by her office, the mayor writes: “The truth is that I left an abusive relationship, and after criminal harassment charges and a no-contact order, I did what many survivors do: I kept my distance.” 

She adds that she understands she is responsible for the property as the legal owner, and is committed to seeing it through, though she is disappointed with the committee’s decision today.

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