Activity Themes

Intro | Confronting Violence Against Women | Day of Remembrance | Eliminating Discrimination and Hate Crime | Facing Violence Among Men | Harassment in the Workplace | Making Our Schools Safer | Media Awareness | Promoting Wellness | Protecting Our Children

Confronting Violence Against Women

At least 51% of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence as defined under the Criminal Code, since the age of 16.[1] Many people, including social service and health care providers, are beginning to understand the grim reality of violence against women. Girls and women tend to internalize violence and discrimination against them. Girls and women try to mask their pain through eating disorders, substance abuse, self-harm and attempts at suicide. Girls and women need to know that community resources such as shelters, parenting classes and workshops on healthy relationships and self-esteem are available to help them deal with violence in their lives. Empowering women's self esteem and promoting economic independence can help women speak out against violence.

Suggested Activities

  • Healthy Relationships Workshop - Talk to women and men about what makes 'healthy' relationship choices. Provide information to participants about what to do if they, or someone they know, are in a dangerous relationship or are causing harm to themselves or others around them. <See the Healthy Relationship Quiz from the Halton Violence Prevention Council>
  • Open House/Information Displays - Have displays at local malls with information about services in your community for women in abusive relationships. Inviting other community agencies will give people more resources to draw upon.
  • Anger Focus Workshop - Allow women to direct the anger that often comes with being a victim/survivor of abuse. Anger is a healthy response to victimization however, it is a disruptive force if the anger is not understood. Learning how to express our feelings can help us be true to ourselves and those around us. Facilitated by a registered therapist, well trained in the area of surviving abuse, a workshop can help participants explore their emotions and learn effective ways to express them.
  • The Clothesline Project - Have participants (elementary/secondary students, victims of violence, parents etc) draw or paint their experience of violence or vision of peace. Hang the drawings on a clothesline in a public space.

Facts

  • An Ontario study found that women were assaulted, on average, 35 times before contacting the police.[2]
  • Empirical studies indicate that children who witness violence between their parents are at an incre ased risk of behavioural and developmental problems and are at a greater risk of becoming victims and perpetrators of violence themselves.[3]
  • One quarter of women who have experienced wife assault have never told anyone about the abuse.[4]

Activity Profile Women's Shelter

YWCA of Lethbridge & District, Lethbridge, AB

In 1995, 309 women and 370 children fled from abusive relationships to find shelter at the YWCA Harbour House. Last year, 234 women and 225 children resided at Harbour House. In 2000, a family of 8 had to reside at the shelter for an extended period of time due to lack of appropriate and affordable housing. This affected the shelter's ability to accept new residents. Women who do not have money or family members that can support them often have nowhere else to go. Lethbridge has the highest charge rate in the province for family crime. This does not mean that Lethbridge has higher rates of family crime than other cities, but that the police force is laying charges more appropriately and consistently. A survey conducted in BC reveals that policies to address violence against women are not used consistently. Some police officers feel that the courts do not support their efforts; many police are still hesitant to make an arrest unless the woman is willing to testify in court.[5]

Resources

Check out the Alliance of Five Research Centres on Violence:

1 www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/news99/1122-e.html

2 Response of the Criminal Justice System to Wife Abuse, Research Contract 79445, Solicitor General of Canada.

3 O'Keefe, 1995. Jaffe, Wolfe and Wilson, 1990. Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, Statistics Canada, 1998.

4 Rodgers, Karen. Wife Assault: The Findings of a National Survey, Juristat, 14, 9.

5 Jiwani, Y. and Buhagiar, L. (1997) Policing Violence Against Women in Relationships. An examination of police response to violence against women. Executive Summary. FREDA Centre. <source link>

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