Being abused is a horrifying reality for many women in Canada. Approximately one in ten women in a relationship with a man is abused. This violence is evident in all communities, cultures and income levels. Verbal, sexual and emotional force, as well as threats and intimidation are all forms of violence used against women.
Thus, looking at this growing menace, Peel Committee Against Woman Abuse and the Peel Committee on Sexual Assault are working in unison to educate people about violence against women. They hope that through education and community initiatives, a safer society for women can be created.
1. Half of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of violence since the age of 16.
2. Nearly half of women accounted violence were from men known to them and one-quarter reported violence by a stranger.
3. One-quarter of women have experienced violence at the hands of their current or past marital partner.
4. Women with violent fathers-in-law are at three times the risk of assault by their partners than are women with non-violent fathers-in-law.
What’s more worse is that, these numbers are still escalating, victim blame and shame are just two of many reasons women are not stepping forward to report these incidents.
The prevalence of male violence against women needs to be acknowledged. Any form of abuse can be devastating to a woman and can serve to erode her self-esteem and self-confidence. Abuse affects women of all cultures, ages, educational levels, socioeconomic backgrounds and sexual orientation.
