For many young women and girls in Canada, their opportunity to participate equally in Canadian society and their right to lead successful and fulfilling lives may be disrupted by acts of gender-based violence. Acknowledging the serious impact of such violence on young women and girls, the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women (“the Committee”) agreed on 8 March 2016, to conduct a study on violence against young women and girls in Canada. The Committee adopted the following motion:
That the Committee study violence in the lives of young women and girls, with particular attention to (but not limited to):
- The nature and extent of cyberviolence against young girls and women and best practices to address and prevent it;
- The nature and extent of street harassment and disrespectful public behaviour and best practices to address and prevent it;
- Explore issues faced by young women on campus, and how to build a more consistent application of effective strategies by universities and colleges to address violence against young women on campus, including the notion of “rape culture” and definitions and perceptions of consent;
- Explore the impacts of hypersexualization of young women and girls in the traditional and social media and how to engage relevant sectors in countering such practices;
- Explore best practices for engaging men and boys to be part of the solution on these issues;
- Include in the examination of the above those groups in our society who are at particular risk, such as the LGBTQ2 [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and 2-Spirited] community, newcomer and immigrant young women and girls;
Violence against Indigenous women has been tearing apart the lives of women, their families and communities for generations. It is a legacy of colonialism that continues to exacerbate poverty, social isolation and insecurity. With this strategy, Ontario and Indigenous communities are coming together to end the cycle of violence and ensure future generations of Indigenous women can live the way they deserve — with safety and respect.
1. Supporting Children, Youth and Families
New funding: $80 million over three years.
• Introduce a new Family Well-Being Program to support Indigenous families in crisis and help communities deal with the effects of intergenerational violence and trauma.
2. Community Safety and Healing
New funding: $15.75 million over three years.
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Ensure Indigenous women and communities have effective supports when dealing with the justice system.
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Develop a survivor-centred strategy to assist in the identi cation, intervention and prevention of human traf cking in Ontario.
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Expand a counselling helpline for Indigenous women experiencing violence, building on the Talk4Healing Indigenous Women’s Helpline.
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Support Indigenous men with healing and violence prevention programs, including Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (I am a Kind Man).
Evaluating violence against women (VAW) training is essential to moving the field forward with proven approaches that can improve service provision for survivors of violence. Given existing resource constraints involved in VAW work, online training represents an economical and flexible option; however, existing evaluations of online programs in the VAW field are scant and face a variety of limitations. This study aimed to fill this gap by using a pre-/posttest design, comparison group, and mixed-method analysis to assess the effectiveness and value of an online training program. The program was intended to provide foundational knowledge in feminist antiviolence principles and values to a range of individuals working with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Program participants (N = 108) included volunteers, students, and professionals from various sectors, allowing for the application of the results to a broader field of VAW support services. This is important as individuals who work with IPV survivors may do so in a range of settings outside of the shelter context. Results demonstrate the potential for online VAW training to improve participants’ knowledge of and attitudes about VAW, which can positively inform their work with survivors. Qualitative responses provide further insight into course impact and highlight positive and negative aspects of the course. Although preliminary, these results provide justification for continued development and evaluation of online VAW training programs.
Most child homicides in Canada are perpetrated by parents. Fathers are responsible for the homicide in approximately 60% of the cases.
Research suggests that living with domestic violence (DV) is a significant risk factor for child lethality. Furthermore, in reported cases of domestic homicide, approximately 10-22% involved child victims.
The Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) reported 323 homicide/homicide-suicide cases with domestic violence involvement between 2002 and 2014. These cases resulted in 453 deaths. Of the homicide victims, 10% were children killed in the context of DV. Approximately 8 out of 10 of these child domestic homicides were perpetrated by fathers. While evidence suggests children are at an increased risk of homicide when living with DV, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a death of a child occurred as a result of DV. Confirmed cases suggest three principal situations where children are killed in the context of DV: (1) during an attempt to protect their parent from violence; (2) as an act of revenge against one’s partner (e.g., partner ended relationship); and (3) in a murder-suicide by a parent who decides to kill the whole family.
This report is based on the meeting hosted by Employment and Social Development Canada and the Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children that took place in Ottawa, Ontario on March 30th, 2017. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the intersections between immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiencing homelessness, health/mental health and disability issues, and trauma in Canada. Participants at the meeting were invited to share knowledge on this topic, including barriers faced by immigrant and refugee women to accessing supports and services, leaving abusive relationships, and obtaining safe, secure, and affordable housing. This was followed by a discussion on gaps in policy, knowledge, and service delivery, practical measures and promising approaches, and next steps for consideration. As this was an exploratory meeting, future opportunities for further discussion are needed to address the many complexities and nuances involved in the intersections of immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiencing homelessness, health/mental health and disability issues, and trauma.
Emerging research from across Canada points to a significant relationship between immigrant and refugee women fleeing violence and experiences of homelessness (BC Society of Transition Houses, 2015; Holtmann, 2016; Thurston et al. 2006). Overall estimates of violence have not been found to be higher in immigrant and refugee communities, however, their position as immigrants and refugees contributes both to their vulnerability and to barriers faced when accessing services and supports. A dynamic interplay of structural and interpersonal factors contributes to violence and increases the risk of homelessness for this group. This includes sponsorship relationships, pre-migration experiences, migration journeys, acculturation and settlement stressors, economic insecurity, cultural norms and traditions, and unfamiliarity with Canadian laws and regulations (Canadian Council on Social Development, 2006).
The Know Your Rights: A Guide for Family Service Providers Serving People with HIV, provides child and family service providers with strategies and information about legal obligations to support clients who disclose HIV status. This guide includes information on the following:
- Duties as a Service Provider
- Legal and Ethical Obligations as a Service Provider
- Examples and scenarios to support clients who disclose HIV status
Page Length: 16 pages
This toolkit created by The 519, provides constructive steps on how to implement anti-discrimination policies around gender identity and gender expression. This toolkit also includes strategies on creating affirming spaces for people who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. This toolkit includes information and strategies on:
- Understanding oppression through an intersectional perspective
- Barriers transgender people encounter to accessing services
- Importance of Full Integration in organizations
- Challenging prejudice
- Creating and Fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment
Page Length: 86 Pages
Created by the 519, this infographic is part of the Creating Authentic Spaces: a gender identity and gender expression toolkit to support implementation of institutional and social change. This infographic includes information how allies can be supportive peers and co-workers to transgender people in different environments.
Page Length: 1 page