According to the Status of Women Canada, many Canadians face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV), and is a violation of human rights.

Certain populations experience high levels of violence, including women; young women and girls; Indigenous women and girls; LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) and non-binary peoples; women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities; and women living with disabilities. The intersection of any two or more risk factors may increase a person’s risk and vulnerability to violence. In other words, anyone living with more than one of these factors may be even at a higher risk of GBV.

The negative effects of GBV reach far beyond the individuals who directly experience them. Violence can have long-lasting and negative health, social and economic effects that span generations, which can lead to cycles of violence and abuse within families and sometimes whole communities.
The Victim Justice Network has partnered and collaborated with diverse organizations and the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, to highlight the impacts of GBV on Canadians across the country.