The effects of violence against women are felt by the people and community that surrounds them.
Children are often impacted the most.
Realities
Every year in Canada, an estimated 362,000 children witness or experience family violence. 1
54% of girls between the ages of 15-19 experience "sexual coercion" in a dating relationship. 2
Police-reported data shows that one-third of physical & sexual offenses against children and youth were committed by family members, with parents committing more than half of all family related physical assaults and sexual offences. 3
Across Canada, over 3,000 women along with their dependent 2,900 children, are living in emergency shelters to escape abuse. 4
In Canada, the annual costs of direct expenditures related to violence against women have been estimated at $684 million dollars (Cdn.) for the criminal justice system, $187 million for police and $294 million for the cost of counselling and training - totaling to more than $1 billion per year. 5
Girls are 4 times more likely than boys to experience family-related sexual offenses. 6
On average, every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. In 2009, 67 women were murdered by a current or former spouse or boyfriend. 7
One in five Canadian women experience some form of emotional or economic abuse in their intimate relationship. 8
Women with disabilities are at four times the risk of experiencing sexual assault. 9
About 80% of sex trafficking victims in Canada are women and girls. 10
67% of all Canadians say they personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted. 11
Sexual offenses are eight times more likely to be committed against girls aged 12 - 17 than male youth. 12
Children who witness domestic violence are at immediate risk of being physically injured. 13
Children who grow up in violent homes are more likely to be victims of physical abuse. 13
In addition to the immediate trauma caused by abuse, domestic violence can contribute to a number of chronic health problems, including depression, alcohol and substance abuse, and STD's such as HIV/AIDS. 14
Now do you believe us?
References
1. Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children, 2006
2. In depth study on all forms of violence against women, Report of the UN Secretary-General, 2006
3. The Effects of Family Violence on Children - Where Does It Hurt, RCMP
4. Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2009
5. Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, 2009
6. Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children, 2006
7. Homicide in Canada, 2009
8. Family Violence in Canada, A Statistical Profile, 2009
9. Research paper: Do what you can to create safe communities
10. Scope of Canadian Women’s Foundation Trafficking Task Force, Canadian Women’s Foundation, November 2010.
11. Angus Reid Omnibus Survey, Canadian Women’s Foundation, 2012.
12. I will teach my children to respect themselves and others - Status of Women Canada swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/vaw-vff/fact-fait-12-en.html
13. “Children Witnessing Family Violence,” by Mia Dauvergne and Holly Johnson, Juristat,Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics - Statistics Canada. 21.6 (2001): p. 4. Available: http://publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/Statcan/85-002-XIE/0060185-002-XIE.pdf
14.Fact Sheet/Futures Without Violence
Are you in immediate danger? Please call 911.
The VPCC does not have onsite staff and cannot provide immediate or emergency services.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, please visit our Resource - Crisis Support page.
In non-emergency situations, please contact Member Directory for information
on support services for women, children & seniors.