Every individual has a right to live a peaceful and violence-free existence. To bring awareness to Gender Based Violence (GBV) or family violence in Canada, November is known as Family Violence Prevention Month. The unfortunate thing about GBV or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is that while it is preventable, no community in Canada is immune. Many Canadians face violence because of their gender, gender identity or perceived gender and GBV is particularly prominent amongst women; women living in rural and remote communities; young women and girls; indigenous women; lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual orientations; transgender and gender diverse people and women with disabilities.
Family Violence Prevention Month aims to bring awareness to particular signs of violence so communities can come together and help each other. Education is imperative to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call their home. As GBV affects everyone regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, economic status or religion, it often manifests in patterns of dominating and controlling behaviour. This controlling behaviour can come in many forms:
Emotional or verbal abuse: Threats, insults, stalking, harassment, attempts to isolate or humiliate are all signs of emotional or verbal abuse and it may continue once physical abuse starts.
Physical abuse:Â Unwanted contact from another individual with the intention of causing harm or injury.
Sexual abuse: Unwanted pressure or force to coerce an individual to engage in a sexual act.
Financial abuse: Attempts to control or limit financial support so an individual may feel powerless.
Digital abuse: When technology such as texting or social media is used to harass, intimidate or humiliate an individual.
GBV can affect multiple generations in one family and the impact of the trauma can last a lifetime as many women who have been abused often exhibit symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
IPV is a leading cause of women’s homelessness and often homelessness may feel like it is the only alternative to staying in an unsafe environment. GBV and homelessness are interconnected and homelessness around the country has reached a crisis point. Shelter Movers works with local community groups and shelters every day to effect an immediate and lasting impact on survivors by providing much-needed support to individuals as they transition to a life free of violence. Let us continue to spread the awareness of gender-based violence and keep our communities safer.