Gender-Based Violence is defined by the United Nations as ‘harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender’. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people are more likely to be victims of gender-based violence.
Gender-Based Violence can take many forms. It can mean physical abuse, sexual assault, stalking, harrassment, threats of violence, verbal and emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, and/or financial control.
In an intimate relationship, Gender-Based Violence is used to assert dominance and control over a partner. The abuse tends to take place in private spaces, and perpetrators are generally not violent or abusive to other people.
Gender-Based Violence should not be attributed to anger management issues, alcohol consumption, stress, or mental health challenges.
Gender-Based Violence can lead to homicide.
In Canada, 94 women and girls were killed in the first half of 2021 – an increase of 84% over the previous year.
Approximately every 6 days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.
Indigenous women in Canada experience significantly higher rates of domestic violence than non-Indigenous women, and disproportionate rates of domestic homicide.
On any given night in Canada, over 6000 women and children sleep in shelters because it isn’t safe for them at home.
Statistics courtesy of Canadian Women’s Foundation and Statistics Canada
