Gender-Based Violence: What You Need to Know
Understanding Gender-Based Violence is the First Step in Stopping It
Violence against women, domestic violence, intimate partner violence—these are terms many people know. But more recently, many organizations have shifted to using the more inclusive term gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence refers to the many types of abuse that women, Two-Spirit, non-binary and gender diverse people, and trans men are at a greater risk of experiencing. It is rooted in gender inequality and discrimination, and individuals are often harmed because of their gender.
While many think of gender-based violence as something that occurs in romantic or family relationships, it can happen in all types of relationships—or even without one. A person may be harmed by a family member, a friend, a colleague, an acquaintance, or even a stranger.
“44% of women and girls aged 15 years and older said they have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their life. ”
How Common is Gender-Based Violence?
Gender-based violence is prevalent in Canada, as well as globally. While we know it often goes unreported, the numbers we do have are staggering.
65% of people in Canada know a woman who has experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse, according to a Canadian Women’s Foundation poll
79% of people who reported intimate partner violence to police in 2021 were women and girls, according to Statistics Canada
47% of women who were victims of solved homicides in 2019 were killed by an intimate partner, according to Statistics Canada
44% of women and girls aged 15 years and older said they have experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their life, according to the self-reported Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (2018)
It’s important to note that disabled people, Indigenous women, racialized women, trans and non-binary people, and women who are homeless or have precarious housing are at an even greater risk of gender-based violence due to the additional barriers and discrimination they experience.
What Gender-Based Violence Looks Like
Gender-based violence comes in many forms and looks like a lot of different situations—including some you might not expect.
Physical abuse refers to any kind of contact a person has not consented to, including hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, pulling, grabbing or shaking. Even if it doesn’t hurt or leave a mark, it is still physical abuse.
Sexual abuse is any kind of non-consensual sexual contact—such as kissing, touching, or rape—as well as pressuring or coercing a person to engage in sexual acts. Anything other than enthusiastic, voluntary consent is abuse.
Emotional abuse is any kind of non-physical abuse, including yelling, insults, humiliation, controlling, criticism, shame, damaging property, stalking, and excessive checking in, as well as isolation and threats.
Isolation is a type of emotional abuse that involves preventing a person from seeing or communicating with family, friends and neighbours, or supervising and policing contact with others. It often occurs with other types of abuse.
Threats are another type of emotional abuse. Threats include any verbal and non-verbal threats to harm an abuse victim, or an abuser threatening to harm themselves or someone else—like a victim’s child, sibling or friend. This can look like: “If you ever leave me, I’ll kill myself” or “If you try to leave me, you’ll never see your kid again.”
Digital abuse has become very common, and it can take many forms, including accessing a person’s accounts or devices, restricting their online activities and digital surveillance, stalking, cyberbullying and harassment. Abusers may install spyware on devices, create accounts to follow and DM someone surreptitiously, or even hack systems—like digital thermostats, baby monitors and more—to terrorize or surveil their victim.
Financial abuse involves any kind of control over money or the ability to work. It includes controlling how much money a person has access to and/or how they spend money, as well as making financial decisions for another person.
Neglect is another type of gender-based violence, and it involves failing to meet the basic needs of a person. This can look like withholding food, clothing, or health care needs such as medication.
Leaving an Abusive Relationship is Very Difficult
There are many reasons why people stay in abusive relationships, from fear to social stigma to practicalities of life.
Here are some of the many reasons survivors may be reluctant to leave:
Wanting to keep their family together, despite being in an unhealthy relationship
Concern about financial stability, especially if they lack the skills or connections to find a job that provides a livable wage, and/or if they have kids or pets they will need to provide for
Fear of losing their children in a custody battle
Feelings of shame or embarrassment, and not wanting anyone to know what they are going through (this is sometimes linked to cultural, religious or family expectations)
Having mixed feelings about their abuser, and in some cases believing things will change
Worrying they will not be believed if they turn to the police or courts for help—and that any attempt to do so could make the abuse worse
Fearing for their safety, or the safety of others, if they attempt to leave
At Ernestine’s, we focus on judgement-free support to help individuals see a path to leaving. As part of this, we work with individuals to create safety plans, which help them stay as safe as possible until they are ready and able to leave, and provide a concrete plan to flee if they are in immediate danger.
At every step, we offer compassionate support, empowering Women, Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary and gender-diverse people to build a life free of violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these types of violence, it’s important to talk to someone. You can get support and advice by calling our 24/7 Crisis Line at 416-746-3701 ext. 0, or TTY 416-746-3716.