Terminology
Gender-based violence (GBV) is any form of abuse, assault, or harassment that can be drawn back to dominant societal norms surrounding gender. In Canada, gender-based violence is defined as violence that is inflicted upon a person or persons due to their gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence (GBV). This issue is also referred to violence against women (VAW).
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is any type of violence that occurs within a romantic relationship. This can be between any genders, however, women and girls are again most often affected.
Statistics
From Key statistics on gender-based violence in Canada
- Although violence affects people of all genders, ages, religions, cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, the populations most at risk of GBV includes women, young women and girls, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ and gender diverse people, women living in northern, rural and remote communities, and women with disabilities.
- Self-reported data collected in 2018 shows that 44% of women reported experiencing some form of IPV in their lifetime (since age 15).
- In 2019, women living in rural areas of Canada’s provinces experienced rates of IPV almost twice as high as women living in urban areas (860 versus 467 victims per 100,000 population).
- Among students attending a post-secondary educational institution located in the provinces of Canada, almost one in seven students (15%) have been sexually assaulted as part of their post-secondary studies at least once since the start of their studies.
Gender-based violence can take many forms, including:
- Physical
- Sexual
- Verbal
- Emotional
- Financial
- Social
- Technological
- Harassment and/or stalking
- Environmental
- Spiritual or religious
Get Help
The Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) is a coalition of more than twenty agencies in Hamilton, Ontario working to end violence against women. Working with community and government agencies, individuals, survivors and consumers, who are committed to the eradication of violence against women and their children. Learn more here about WAWG, or click here for resources and toolkits.
Assaulted women’s GTA crisis hotline: 416-863-0511
Interval House of Hamilton provides emergency shelter, safety planning and support services for women with or without children that have experienced abuse or violence.
905-387-8881: 24-hour crisis line
SACHA of Hamilton: A sexual assault centre providing a 24 hour support line, counselling, diverse communities outreach program, and public education.
905-525-4162: 24 hour phone line available in over 300 languages.
SAVIS of Halton: Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services, offering free and confidential 24/7, one-on-one crisis counselling services, as well as support groups, a senior program, anti-human trafficking support services, a male ally network, and public education.
905-875-1555: 24 hour phone line.
The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence (SA/DV) Care Centre: provides confidential health care for children, adolescents, women, transgender persons, and men who have experienced sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
Halton Women’s Place is the only women’s shelter in the Halton region providing emergency safe shelter and community outreach services to women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Good Sheperd has many locations and services in the Hamilton region. Available as part of Good Shepherd’s Women’s Services: Emergency Shelter, Violence Against Women Community Counselling, Child & Youth Counselling, Wellness Program, Learning Effective Anti-Violence in Families (LEAF), Legal Advocacy, and Family Court Support.
To inquire about these services, contact 905-523-8766.
905-523-6277: Martha House 24-hour crisis line
Inasmuch House is a safe haven for women and non-binary people in Hamilton, with or without children, who are experiencing abuse and/or homelessness. Services include: safe shelter, child and youth workers, legal advocacy, transitional housing support, group counselling, and one-on-one counselling.
905-529-8600: 24-hour crisis line
289-212-6399: 24-hour text line
24-hour web chat
Banyan Community Services’ Violence Against Women program offers support to women who have experienced abuse and violence in an intimate relationship. VAW counselling is provided in a non-judgmental, inclusive environment. Women are supported to increase their knowledge and understanding of abuse, safety planning, and access to community resources.
ELIGIBILITY: Our services are available to women, aged 16 years and older, who have been physically, sexually, emotionally, or financially abused, or who are at risk for abuse, and their children.
For more information, please contact:
Phone: 289-246-9064
Email: VAWreferrals@banyancs.org
