By Shilan Zade, Nomination Candidate for Burnaby North Seymour, Conservative Party of Canada.
Domestic violence remains a critical issue in Canada, affecting the lives of thousands, particularly women. As someone who dedicated many years to advocating for women’s rights and safety, I understand the urgent need to address this growing crisis. This article aims to raise awareness of domestic violence, outline what constitutes violence, share the alarming statistics of violence against women in Canada, and emphasize the resources available to those affected. We also highlight the importance of initiatives like the upcoming Voices Against Violence rally on October 21st, 2024 (https://www.voicesrally.org/), which aims to raise awareness nationwide.
What is Considered Violence? Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse. It encompasses a broad range of harmful behaviours that can be emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual. Violence can manifest in controlling actions, threats, manipulation, and isolation, all of which aim to dominate and intimidate the victim. Often, these non-physical forms of abuse can be just as harmful as physical violence, leaving long-lasting emotional scars. Recognizing all forms of abuse is essential to breaking the cycle of violence. Raising awareness about what constitutes domestic violence is crucial for prevention and intervention. Many individuals may not realize that they are victims because their abuser has not physically harmed them. Understanding that behaviours such as verbal abuse, financial control, or forced sexual activity are forms of violence is vital in empowering victims to seek help and support. The upcoming Voices Against Violence rally (https://www.voicesrally.org/), held across Canada at noon on October 21st, 2024, is a vital platform to increase public awareness and foster a better understanding of domestic violence in all its forms.
The Urgency: Women Are Dying The urgency of addressing domestic violence is underscored by the alarming rate at which women are being killed in Canada. On average, a woman is murdered by her intimate partner every six days in this country, according to research from the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability. These grim statistics highlight the fatal consequences of domestic violence, emphasizing the need for immediate action and intervention.
This figure is not just a number; it represents lives lost—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends whose deaths were preventable. Every six days, we are reminded of the fatal outcome that can result from failing to address domestic violence adequately. Alarming Statistics of Domestic Violence in Canada Domestic violence is a pervasive issue across Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, police-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents surged to over 127,000, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Women make up the majority of domestic violence victims, accounting for almost 80% of reported cases. Young women aged 18 to 34 are particularly vulnerable, experiencing intimate partner violence at higher rates than any other age group. In addition, older women, especially those over 65, also face domestic violence, often at the hands of caregivers or family members.
Why It’s Important to Raise Awareness Raising awareness about domestic violence is essential for several reasons. It helps victims recognize that they are not alone and that what they are experiencing is abuse. Many victims suffer in silence, unaware that support systems and resources are available to help them escape violent situations. Public awareness campaigns, such as the Voices Against Violence rally (https://www.voicesrally.org/) on October 21st, 2024, can help shift societal attitudes. Violence, especially in intimate relationships, is often dismissed as a “private” matter. This rally will take place simultaneously across Canada at noon in each time zone, symbolizing the unity of Canadians in their stand against domestic violence. It aims to not only raise awareness but also to encourage action at a community level, empowering people to speak up and stand in solidarity with victims. The rally is designed to gather communities, survivors, advocates, and supporters to publicly demonstrate the urgent need for change. Events like this make it clear that domestic violence is not a private issue but a societal one that requires collective responsibility. By raising awareness, Voices Against Violence hopes to spark conversations that lead to real policy changes and increase support for victims nationwide. Lastly, raising awareness encourages policy changes and better resource allocation.
When the public is informed and vocal about the need to address domestic violence, government bodies are more likely to respond with improved laws, increased funding for shelters, and more comprehensive support programs for victims. A Collective Responsibility Ending domestic violence requires collective action from all levels of society—individuals, communities, governments, and organizations. Strengthening legal protections, improving public awareness, and promoting social change are essential to ending the cycle of violence. As a nomination candidate for Burnaby North Seymour for the Conservative Party of Canada, I am committed to advocating for increased public support programs and raising awareness about the dangers of domestic violence. The Voices Against Violence rally (https://www.voicesrally.org/) on October 21st, 2024, is an opportunity for everyone to come together in a unified stance against violence. It is more than just a rally; it is a movement to ensure that victims have the support they need and that domestic violence is recognized and treated as a pressing public issue. As an advocate for women’s rights, I believe that everyone deserves to live free from violence. Domestic violence is not a private issue—it is a public concern that requires immediate attention and action.
