Volume 4 | May 2023

Welcome to the snapshot! A curation of quick reads that provide you with the latest information on social issues to help you promote awareness, advocacy and action. From our resources team to you, the snapshot will empower you with the resources you need to be an informed advocate in this digital age.

The topic of this month’s newsletter is Domestic Violence

Become acquainted with the different types of domestic violence.
Learn about how abuse happens and who experiences domestic violence.
Discover how to make meaningful change and keep up with current events.

** Disclaimer: Some people may find the following information triggering or upsetting, please read with caution. If you are a victim of domestic violence or would like to report a case of abuse, please call 911 or call one of the crisis lines in your area (Canada).

Domestic Violence

Affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide, domestic violence has been declared as one of the major global health public concerns today. Domestic violence (DV), or intimate partner violence (IPV), is defined as a pattern of behaviour in a relationship that is used to hold power and control over an intimate partner. While most victims are women, DV can impact anyone regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and can occur in range of relationships. It is imperative that we understand and work towards ending DV as it is very prevalent and has lasting implications (physical, mental, economic, etc.) for the victims and those around them.

(WHO, 2021), (UN, 2023)

Types of Domestic Violence

Although it is often assumed to involve physical abuse, domestic violence can take multiple forms and may occur at the same time.

Types include:

Physical abuse (e.g., physical force such as hitting & pushing)
Stalking (e.g., repeated calls, following, & constantly reaching out)
Emotional and psychological abuse (e.g., insults, intimidation, belittling)
Sexual violence (e.g., sexual acts without consent, threats, & degradation)
Spiritual abuse (e.g., use of a partner’s spiritual belief to control them)
Financial or economic abuse: (e.g., control & exploitation of assets/money)
Cyberviolence (e.g., tracking someones location to intimidate, bugging electronic devices)

Knowing the different types of domestic violence, and how different forms intersect can assist in identifying the signs and understanding the complexity of an abusive relationship.

(Discreet Investigations, 2023), (The Hotline, 2023)

Why Do Abusers Abuse?

Much of abuse is learned behaviour, it can be a vicious cycle that can carry over generations. As we now know, DV stems from a desire to gain control. This desire may be linked to individual factors.

Factors may include:

low education or income
personality disorders
substance use
cultural attitudes and/or gender ideologies
individual traits (e.g., low self-esteem, anger issues, insecurity)

However, it is important to remember that there is no true cause of domestic violence and abuse. It is a choice to commit abusive acts.

(PsychCentral, 2021), (The Hotline, 2023)

Why Do Victims Stay?

Abuse is never the fault of the victim, however, people on the outside may ask “why don’t they just leave”. The reality is abusive relationships are complex and there are many reasons why victims remain in these relationships.

Reasons may include:

Danger or fear (e.g., fear their partners will kill them or losing their children)
Financial consequences (e.g., unemployment, partner controls finances)
Love for their partner and relationship idealization
Lack of knowledge of or access to safety and support services
Having nowhere to go (e.g. no money, no family, shelters are full)
Religious or cultural beliefs may not support divorce or may dictate outdated gender roles and keep the victim trapped in the relationship
Personal factors (e.g., low confidence, trauma, lack of education)

(NCADV, 2023), (women’s aid, 2023)

Who Experiences Domestic Violence?

Abuse happens regardless of gender, age, sexuality, race, ability, or any other factor. However, some groups are more at risk and experience DV differently due to additional discrimination and barriers. How abusive relationships happen and how DV is experienced reflects the broader society it exists in.

When looking at the diagram below, it can be seen how multiple factors can layer and intersect with each other to influence how domestic violence develops and why it may continue to occur without intervention.

Considering this diagram, look critically at the following statistics in how they display who experiences abuse and what domestic violence looks like in Canada:

The majority of domestic abuse victims are female.

Women make up 79% of all DV victims in Canada.
Women are 8X more likely than men to be killed by their intimate partner.
- Every 6 days, a women is killed by her intimate partner in Canada
Some women experience DV more than others, and may have less access to services:
- These women include racialized women, women with disabilities, Indigenous women, women living in rural areas, queer women, trans and non-binary people, and women who are homeless.
- Some of these intersections will be further discussed below. ⬇️

(Discreet Investigations, 2023), (CWF, 2023)

Queer women, trans and gender diverse people experience significantly higher rates of DV compared to heterosexual and cisgender women.

Two-thirds of LGB+ women have experienced IPV in their lifetime compared to 4 in 10 heterosexual women.
- LGB+ women are also 2X more likely to experience most types and more severe forms of DV/IPV.

30-50% of all trans and gender diverse people will experience IPV in their life.
- 3 in 5 trans women have experienced IPV.
- Trans people are 2X more likely to report experiencing IPV compared to cisgender women and 4X more likely compared to cisgender men.

(StatsCan, 2021), (Trans PULSE Canada, 2019), (CWF, 2022)

Indigenous women experience higher rates of DV than non-Indigenous women and are less likely to report abuse.

6 in 10 Indigenous women have experienced domestic violence, compared to 4 in 10 non-Indigenous women.
- Risk factors of higher rates of DV among Indigenous women include:
  - higher risk of childhood abuse and experiences of violence
  - intergenerational trauma due to colonialism
  - intersections of gender inequality and systemic racism
  - reduced access to resources (e.g., education, employment, etc)
Due to mistrust of police and other government services, Indigenous women are less likely to report abuse or ask for help.
(StatsCan, 2021), (StatsCan, 2022)

Even though women experience much higher rates of DV, men also experience significant amounts of IPV.

Men comprise about 20% of all IPV cases reported to police in Canada and about 20% of IPV homicide victims.
- Men are less likely than women to report IPV to police.
  - When men do it report, it is less likely to result in an arrest or police record.
- Indigenous men represent 44% of male victims of IPV homicide.
- Gay and bisexual men are more likely to experience most types and more severe forms of DV/IPV.
(Justice Canada, 2021)

Resources for those affected by Domestic Violence

For victims/survivors of DV, and those with loved ones who are victims/survivors of DV.

ShelterSafe: ShelterSafe.ca is an online resource for women and their children seeking safety from violence and abuse. The clickable map serves as a quick resource to connect women with the nearest shelter in Canada.

Domestic Violence Resources in Canada: Global News provides this extensive list of resources, including crisis lines and support centres, for victims of abuse. The list is divided by situation, type of abuse, and identity factors (race and sexual orientation) to help many people who are looking for support.

Canadian Centre for Men and Families Programs: CCMF offers support to men seeking help with relationship turmoil. They offer many free online (national) and in-person (provincial) programs, including a domestic abuse support service, that are tailored to supporting men and their mental health. CCMF also has volunteer opportunities here.

Workbooks for Victims of Abuse and their Loved Ones:

Canada Confesses Resources

Head to the Canada Confesses resource page to find additional support.
Submit an anonymous confession or contact us directly for curated resources suited to your needs.
Check out the links listed below for more information and support. ⬇️

GET INVOLVED | MAKE A CHANGE

ORGANIZATIONS DOING THE WORK

The Ending Violence Association of Canada: EVA CAN is a national non-profit organization whose main purpose is to educate and respond to gender based violence at the national level. They work to produce research, education, and policies to identify and implement the systemic and institutional changes necessary to address gender based violence effectively.

Shift: The Project to End Domestic Violence: Shift is a Canadian research based project that focuses on primary prevention of domestic violence. They work with academic institutions, governments, NGO’s, and other organizations to implement effective policies and practices to stop domestic violence before it happens.

READ, WATCH, & LEARN

Books, movies, podcasts, and more that cover the topic of domestic violence for continued learning.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (Book)
Educated by Tara Westover (Book)
I’m a Survivor with Misty Chaviers (Podcast)
A Dangerous Silence (Documentary)

MORE THAN PERFORMATIVE ACTION

Support, volunteer with, and follow organizations and advocates who work towards ending domestic violence.
Be a Signal for Help Responder: sign up here for CWF’s Action Guide and Learning Journey that provides the tools to recognize the signs of abuse and how to offer stigma free help.
Other ways you can help in the fight against DV include: believing and supporting victims and survivors, reporting abuse, donate to shelters, speaking out against violence and abuse, knowing the signs, etc.
Vote for officials who work towards equality and speak out against violence. Register to vote here.
Follow Canada Confesses on social media to stay informed and support a movement of change.

Spotlight 🔍

Current events, initiatives, and posts that take a closer look at domestic violence.

Got Feedback?

Canada Confesses values the input from our project participants (YOU!) and affiliates/partners so we can continually improve our project, ensure we're not doing harm to any communities, and create initiatives that better serve you. Submit feedback here.

If you know of any resources related to domestic violence or any social justice issue, please submit here.