Gender-Based Violence: It’s Not Just

Gender-based violence is any act of violence based on someone’s gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. While we often think of it as “just physical”, GBV typically falls into these four categories:

Emotional violence,
including:

• threats, humiliation intimidation, and insults
• controlling behaviour
• stalking or cyber-stalking
• deadnaming or denying someone’s gender identity
• isolation from friends and family

Physical violence,
including:

• pushing, punching, kicking, or slapping
• choking or strangulation
• restraining or locking someone in
• throwing, breaking or hitting objects

Financial violence,
including:

• stealing financial information, like PINs
• pressure or blackmail to give money
• controlling someone’s purchases
• preventing someone from going to work or school

Sexual violence,
including:

• forced sexual touching or acts
• forced sexual acts with other people
• removing a condom without consent
• being forced to get naked or send a nude image

GBV can affect anyone due to their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. But some groups are at higher risk of experiencing GBV, including:

• young women and girls (under 25)
• Black and racialized women
• LGB+ people and people of other sexual orientations than heterosexual
• transgender or gender diverse people
• newcomer women to Canada
• women with disabilities  
• women living in Northern, rural or remote communities
• Indigenous women, girls and Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual Plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people

People who are part of more than one of these communities are at an even higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence.

If a friend tells you they’re experiencing gender-based violence:

1. Listen to them. Don’t interrupt. People need time to process an overwhelming situation – moments of silence are okay.
2. Believe them. It takes courage to talk about GBV. Don’t dismiss their feelings, no matter how small the incident may seem to you.
3. Let them know it was not their fault. No matter what they were doing, wearing, or saying, GBV is never the fault of the victim/survivor. Validate their feelings.
4. Ask how you can help. Depending on the situation, your friend might need anything from a hug to professional support. Don’t assume what those needs are — ask, instead. Learn a few tips for how to respond to intimate partner violence or technology-facilitated violence.
5. Respect their decisions. It’s up to the person experiencing GBV to decide how they want to respond. Whatever they choose, have their back.
6. Provide resources when they’re ready. Nobody experiences GBV alone. Sharing our resources can help someone experiencing GBV get more help or find support. Visit the youth resources database for services and resources offered in your area.

What can I do to stop gender-based violence?

GBV is all around us. If you look closely, you can find it in the shows you watch, the music you listen to, and maybe even the interactions you have with friends. GBV is rooted in gender inequality and is made worse by sexism, discrimination, racism and ableism.

It’s not just up to you. Everyone is responsible for helping to end gender-based violence. By taking it seriously, learning to recognize GBV, and apologizing and learning if you say or do something that hurts someone else, you can help prevent and stop GBV.

✓ recognize GBV when you see it

✓ listen to victims/survivors

✓ take responsibility and learn as needed