Possible solutions and resources to fight against gender-based violence
From November 25 to December 6, every year, take place 12 days of action to end violence against women, a major social issue for the YWCA. These 12 days are an opportunity for us to unveil various facets of this violence and to put forward solutions and solidarity actions that contribute to generating positive and lasting changes in the lives of women and girls. #12jours
To find out about the actions organized as part of this campaign, consult the calendar of activities on the CDÉACF website.
Sexual Offenses
⚠️ In 2014, in Quebec, among the sexual offenses compiled by the police forces:
➡️ 84% of the victims were women and girls.
➡️ 66% of the victims were under the age of 18.
➡️ 84,2% of the minor victims knew their abuser.
Several ways exist to prevent sexual assault :
➡️ Raise awareness of the concept of consent from childhood.
➡️ Offer sexuality education in schools.
➡️ Denounce the aggressors.
In case of sexual assault, several agencies offer support:
➡️ Help and Resources for Sexual Assault Victims
➡️ Secrétariat à la condition féminine – Sexual Assault
➡️ Community and Social Resources in Montreal
Sexual Consent
Did you know that the YWCA has created the project Do you NO the limit?, a virtual reality experience which aims to better understand the concept of consent and, therefore, to prevent sexual assault?
Sexual Exploitation
⚠️ Did you know that data collected from multiple organizations and practitioners indicates a growing demand for younger and younger girls and for increasingly violent and dehumanizing practices?
➡️ The consequences range from multiple violence, over-consumption of drugs and alcohol, to post-traumatic stress, resulting in a mortality rate that is 40% higher than the average population.
Do you have doubts about a girl from your circle or maybe even your own daughter? Download our tools on the page of the program “Working Together Against Sexual Violence” : a ressource guide and questionnaire inluding a list of risk factors related to the family, school and behavioral situation of the young woman.
Pornography
⚠️ Did you know that the « pornographization » of society revives very unequal stereotypes between men and women and contributes to the violence against women and girls? Parents and relatives remain the main influence in building perceptions of romantic relationships. What can we do?
Check out our 4 videos about the influence of hypersexualization on Quebec youth. These capsules are intended for parents and adults to raise awareness of this phenomenon.
Prostitution
⚠️ In Quebec, a considerable number of women and girls are victims of sexual exploitation, especially in the street, massage parlors and escort agencies, slaves of a well-established industry controlled by criminal networks.
➡️ Some studies show that 80% of dancers are under the guidance of a pimp when working in a dancer’s bar.
➡️ The Service de renseignement criminel du Québec estimates the number of transactions related to commercial prostitution at 2,600,000 for a single year.
Organizations exist to help women and girls not enter or leave this devastating industry. To find them, consult the resources of the Secrétariat à la condition féminine.
International Events
In addition, the Concertation des luttes contre l’exploitation sexuelle (CLÉS), in collaboration with the YWCA and several other organizations, launches every year the awareness-raising campaign against sexual exploitation : Un trop Grand Prix pour les femmes et les filles in the occasion of the Formula 1.
Sexual Violence in schools
⚠️ Did you know that 66% of victims of sexual violence are young people under 18, and the vast majority of them are girls. These young people are of school age and the impacts of this violence can be decisive on their life course. Several measures can be put in place to prevent sexual violence in primary and secondary schools and to better assist victims:
➡️ Acknowledge the existence of the phenomenon.
➡️ Write law to provide primary and secondary schools with plans to prevent sexual violence.
➡️ Provide schools with the necessary resources to put in place these prevention plans.
➡️ Create collaborative networks to effectively support victims (school staff, stakeholders, parents, social services, etc.).
➡️ Raise awareness and properly train ALL school personnel (teachers, supervisors, stakeholders, directorates, T.E.S, coaches, etc.) to de-genderize, know how to identify sexual violence and know how to intervene.
Read the summary of our press conference Preventing Sexual Assault in Schools to find other solutions.
Conjugal violence
⚠️ 95% of victims of spousal violence are women, girls and children. Did you know that it is possible to detect the warning signs that can lead to domestic violence?
Le dépliant Is our relationship healthy?, developed by YWCA Canada, examines our relationship with our partners and those around us to determine whether our relationships are healthy or unhealthy. Take the test!
Violence Against Indigenous Women
⚠️ According to the 2009 ESG, the rate of violent victimization of Indigenous women in the provinces was about two and a half times that of non-Indigenous women. This proportion applies to spousal violence, as well as violence perpetrated by other family members, their circle of acquaintances or friends, foreigners and foreigners.
➡️ According to the 2011 Homicide Survey, at least 8% of women aged 15 and over who were murdered between 2001 and 2011 were Indigenous. This is twice their representation rate in the Canadian population (4%).
➡️ The disappearances and murders of Indigenous women in Canada are problematic and have therefore received national and international attention (Department of Justice, 2010). The National Survey of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has a colossal but necessary task:
- ➡️ highlight all causes of violence, murder and disappearance of indigenous women and girls.
- ➡️ inform the public about the injustices, violence and abuse suffered by these women and girls.
- ➡️ provide effective recommendations to strengthen and ensure their safety and the development of their full potential.
To follow the progress of the survey or share your own truth, visit the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls website.
Violence Against Women with Disabilities
⚠️ Women with disabilities and deaf women experience rates of violence three times higher than non-disabled women.
➡️ Women with disabilities also experience emotional, physical and sexual abuse by a wide variety of people, including caregivers, family members and strangers.
DAWN Canada encourages the development of policies, programs and services for victims to prevent violence and meet the needs of women with disabilities and deaf women.
Violence Against Immigrant Women
⚠️ Immigrant women face a double discrimination: that of being a woman and that of being an immigrant.
➡️ In 2017, among the immigrant women’s labor force, the unemployment rate was 50% higher than the general population (9.6% compared to 6.1%).
➡️ Regardless of level of education or immigration status, women’s annual employment income is between 72% and 85% of that of men.
➡️ Among immigrant women, their income gaps with immigrant men are greater than those between immigrant and native-born men.
You are an employer who wants to improve inclusion and diversity practices in your workplace? Discover Where are you from?, a virtual reality experience featuring a newcomer looking for a job.
Violence Against Caregivers
⚠️ In Quebec, the proportion of women caregivers is higher than that of men. Often, they have to combine their professional life, the care of their own children and the support of a loved one in need of help. They compose with a range of demanding tasks that cost them intense emotional commitment and a significant mental burden.
To learn more about the situation of caregivers, visit the new microsite of the Conseil du statut de la femme.
Are you caring for a senior who is losing his/her autonomy? Benefit from personalized support through our free Family Caregivers Support Program.
Fight to end violence against women and girls
⚠️ The day of December 6th closes each year the campaign of 12 days of action to end violence against women. On December 6th, the YWCA invites the public to:
➡️ wear the white ribbon in memory of the 14 young women killed because of their sex during a shooting at École Polytechnique in 1989.
➡️ support the Coalition for Gun Control to enable it to continue its actions to gain greater control over hand and assaults guns.
➡️ support the Women’s Y Foundation so that the YWCA can continue its mission to ensure the security, inclusion and equal status of women and girls in Québec society.
Would you like to know more about our concrete actions? View our annual report online.
