Gender-Based, Intimate Partner, and Family Violence

Gender-based violence is a pervasive violation of human rights. Half of women in Canada over the age of 16 have experienced at least one incident of sexual or physical violence, often by someone they know. Girls, especially Indigenous girls as young as 13, are targeted and exploited by human trafficking. Gender-based, intimate partner, and family violence affects people across all walks of life. Most cases go unreported for fear of stigma, shame, inaction by authorities, and further risk of danger. Living with, or in fear of, violence also impacts physical, mental and emotional health and can shatter employment and income security. With nearly 480,000 women across the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area living on low incomes, it also means many are forced into impossible decisions: remaining in violent homes — often with children — or living in poverty and at risk of homelessness.  The pandemic has had a devasting impact on this issue. Data reveals that family violence – which was already high – has skyrocketed, as evidenced in the sharp increase in call volume experienced by Canada’s Assaulted Women’s Helpline. 

United Way aims to address the full spectrum of gender-based, intimate partner, and family violence through supports that offer a safe place and a clear path ahead for survivors of violence. Our approach is to consider trauma-informed and culturally tailored services connected to a system of wrap-around supports that include immediate safety and crisis intervention, counselling, and healing for individuals and groups. We also support programs that empower the lives of survivors by providing opportunities for housing, employment and social connections. Prevention efforts to interrupt harmful social norms will also be included along with collaborative service coordination and advocacy work to affect systemic change and public policy development.