About Violence

Violence is the leading cause of women’s homelessness across Canada. There are many forms of violence which disrupt the lives of women, gender-diverse individuals, children, families, and even whole communities. 

People in rural, remote, and Northern communities experience and flee from violence differently than those in urban centers. Shelter Pulse was created to begin the shift towards standardization of policies for Women’s shelters across rural Canada.

The language used to describe experiences of violence faced by women and gender-diverse people varies across Canada.

Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is any act of attack on a person based on their gender (who they are), gender identity (who they identify as) or gender expression (what they look like). This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Intimate partner violence/domestic violence
• Sexual harassment 
• Stalking 
• Trafficking 
• Forced sex work 
• Sex-selective abortion

Gender-based violence is a prevalent, long-standing issue1 that is determined and influenced by social and systemic constructions in society2. This issue extends beyond just the victim and perpetrator, to institutions who reinforce patriarchal values.

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Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) includes any behaviour by an intimate or ex-partner that causes harm. This includes physical assault, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, or controlling behaviours. In 2015 18% of all homicides resulted from IPV. 

Intimate partner violence is a silent yet pervasive form of GBV. It is estimated that 78% of intimate partner violence goes unreported in Canada3. Women and gender diverse people living in rural, remote, and northern communities, as well as Indigenous women, face higher rates of intimate partner violence4.

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Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behaviour used by a person to gain power and control over another who they have or have had an intimate relationship with. This could include physical assault, verbal abuse, stalking, emotional intimidation, or control of electronic devices.

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Family Violence

Family Violence is any form of abuse, mistreatment or neglect that a child or adult experiences from a family member or from someone they are in a relationship with.

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Violence Against Women

Violence Against Women (VAW) is any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women. VAW affects whole communities and can cause serious health concerns for both women and children. 

One pervasive form is technology-related VAW. 95% of online abusive behaviours are from a current or former intimate partner. 

Technology-related VAW includes: 

• sexual harassment 
• impersonation 
• recruitment
• surveillance
• tracking
• sharing of intimate pictures

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¹ (S. Garnett Russell et al., 2018)
² (Kilmartin and Allison, 2007; Merry, 2011)
³ (Zorn et al., 2017)
⁴ (Nonomura and Baker, 2021)