Understanding Gender-Based Violence
For 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, DWS and other Yukon organizations working to prevent violence are creating spaces for learning more about how GBV works and what prevention can look like.
You are not alone. You deserve support.
As we have tough convos about violence and abuse, please take care of yourself. You are the expert in your life and know best how to take care - whether it’s reaching out to loved one, being on the land, taking time for yourself, or connecting with resources.
Want to help to prevent violence? Sign up for the two FREE workshops DWS is offering on December 6th and 7th. More information and sign-up here.
Image description: Text “Understanding Gender-Based Violence” on a background of colourful northern lights
“The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.”
From UN Women
Image description: Text ‘Abuse isn’t always physical. Women can’t do anything. You’re not even pretty. You can’t wear that. Don’t be such a woman. She’s just a girl. I never wanted a daughter. You need to loose some weight or you’ll never find anybody. You’re useless.’ on an orange background with black illustration of a woman or girl with a broken heart.
WHAT IS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE?
Gender-based violence, commonly referred to by its acronym GBV, is violence that is committed against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender.
If you look closely, you will see the roots of GBV all around you—in the jokes that demean members of the LGBTQI2+ community, in the media messages that objectify women, and in the rigid gender norms imposed on young children.
In Canada, GBV disproportionately impacts women and girls, as well as other diverse populations such as Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQI2+ and gender non-binary individuals, those living in northern, rural, and remote communities, people with disabilities, newcomers, children and youth, and seniors.
Often, the term violence is used to refer to specific, usually physical acts, while the word abuse is used to refer to a pattern of behaviour that a person uses to gain or maintain power and control over another.
GBV is not limited to physical abuse but includes words, actions, or attempts to degrade, control, humiliate, intimidate, coerce, deprive, threaten, or harm another person.
When it comes to GBV, a person may experience more than one form of violence or abuse. Here, these words are often used interchangeably, or the broader term ‘abuse’ is used.
Why we need 16 Days?
We need to commit to ending gender-based violence because:
Image description: Infographic ‘snapshot of family violence in canada’. PDF here - https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/migration/phac-aspc/sfv-avf/assets/pdf/infographi-eng.pdf
Sexism, patriarchy, colonialism, ableism, and lots of other forms of oppression still exist. These oppressions create a culture where violence against marginalized genders is OK and even expected.
Most folks still think violence against women is only hitting and kicking, when most survivors say that the emotional abuse is the hardest to recover from. (Source: National Network to End Domestic Violence)
58% of grade 7-12’s experience sexual harassment at school.
Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Out of the 83 police-reported intimate partner homicides in 2014, 67 of the victims—over 80%—were women.
“Transgender and gender diverse people in Canada are more than twice as likely as cisgender people to have experienced unwanted sexual behaviours in public places that made them feel unsafe or uncomfortable (58% versus 23%, respectively) and in the workplace (69% versus 23%).” - Women and Gender Equity Canada
Ending violence would be good for our entire community, but if you need more economic incentive: Canadians collectively spend $7.4 billion to deal with the aftermath of spousal violence alone, according to the Department of Justice.
Survivors most often know, love, and trust the person who is abusing them.
Approximately 460,000 sexual assaults occur in Canada each year, and less than 10% are reported to police.
70 to 99% of women experience street harassment at some point during their lives.
Gif description: Text ‘Don’t get raped’ with letters being wiped out so ‘Don’t rape’ is remaining.
What can you do?
Ending gender-based violence can feel overwhelming. Don’t freak out, there’s a strong community of feminists and anti-violence activists working to create a culture based on consent and equity.
There’s lots of everyday actions you can take to get involved!
Image description: Infographic with large purple wheel and text - ‘There are 460 000 sexual assaults in Canada every year. Out of every 1000 sexual assaults: 33 are reported to the police. 29 are recorded as a crime. 12 have charges laid. 6 are prosecuted. 3 lead to conviction. 997 assailants walk free.’
Commit to learning move about gender-based violence. Learn how to recognize the foundations that keep violent systems in place.
Unlearn the myths and lies that we’ve been taught about sexual violence and partner violence.
Be ready to support a friend if they need help.
Follow DWS (plus other amazing activists and organizations) on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for daily info about consent and so much more.
Interrupt sexist, racists, homophobic, and other harmful jokes and comments.
Come to one of the many 16 Days of Activism events planned by Dawson orgs.
Prepare! Have convos with your friends about what you would do if a friend was being harmed.
We’ve got your back! Call DWS’ 24 Hour Support Line either when you need support or when you have questions about GBV or about helping a friend.
Don’t keep it to yourself! Tell others about 16 Days of Activism, your commitment to ending gender-based violence, and all the incredible events happening.
Gif description: Text ‘fight like a man’ with letters being wiped out and added to show ‘fight violence against women’.