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GTA
#SAFE
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Some Facts About Abuse
We know from statistics, media coverage and the thousands of women who call our Helpline each year, that woman abuse is an epidemic. | |
Women and children are being killed. In the province of Ontario alone, on average 40 women and children are murdered each year. | |
We know that a woman is harmed, maimed or injured every minute of every day. | |
That woman is someone's mother, daughter, sister, lover, wife, friend, in-law, co-worker. |
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All businesses, corporations and service agencies are touched by violence against women. It does not stay behind closed doors. | |
Children are affected by abuse. Children who witness abuse are affected by violence in the home. Violence hurts children even if they are not the ones being physically hurt. Children who witness the abuse of their mothers may experience long-term emotional, physical and psychological effects. | |
Questions & Answers
| Q. | What is violence against women? |
| A. | In the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination
of Violence Against Women, the term violence against women refers to
"any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely
to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to
women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation
of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life" Violence
against women is also a manifestation of the historically unequal power
relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and
discrimination against women by men and the prevention of women's full
advancement. |
| Q. | What are some of the common forms of violence against women? |
| A. | Violence against women can take many forms.
It is most commonly divided into the following types:
Physical violence The most obvious ranges from pushing and shoving to hitting, beating, physical abuse with a weapon, torture, mutilation and murder. Emotional/Psychological violence Encompasses various tactics to undermine an individual's self-confidence, such as yelling, insults, mockeries, threats, abusive language, humiliation, harassment, contempt, deliberate deprivation of emotional care or isolation. Sexual violence Any form of non-consensual sexual activity (i. e. forced on an individual) ranging form harassment, unwanted sexual touching, to rape. This form of violence also includes incest. Financial violence Encompasses various tactics for total or partial control of an individual's finances, inheritance or employment income. It may include denying access to one's own financial records and knowledge about personal investments, income or debt, or preventing a partner from taking employment outside the home, or engaging in other activity that would lead to financial independence. Neglect Includes failure to provide for an individual's basic needs and human rights, and the refusal or delay in the provision of food or medical care. |
Women who are abused require access to a full range of services:
- Emergency shelter
- Emotional support
- Short/long term counselling
- Legal assistance and advocacy
- Financial assistance
- Affordable housing
It is essential that these services be provided in a manner that validates the women's experience and empowers her to undertake her own healing process. Accessibility to these services is crucial to the healing and rebuilding processes. Fear and shame caused by abuse are real barriers to access.