How well do you understand gender-based violence?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is all around us, but how much do you know about it?

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Women and Gender Equality Canada
Free to be me

Before you begin (trigger warning)

While discussing gender-based violence (GBV) can be important for healing and raising awareness, it's also essential to protect yourself and be mindful of personal triggers. Triggers can be experiences that cause a person to recall a traumatic event. For example, graphic images of violence might be triggering for some people. If anything here triggers you, it's okay to step back and focus on your safety and well-being. Seek out resources if needed, or try self-care strategies (PDF) like exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones to feel grounded and in control.

1. True or false: Gender-based violence (GBV) includes non-physical acts of violence like intimidating or threatening someone.

True
False

True

False

True. While we often think of violence as “just physical,” GBV typically falls into four categories: emotional violence, physical violence, economic abuse, and sexual violence. Emotional violence aims to harm the person emotionally by making them feel worthless, guilty, devalued, lonely, hurt, angry, or sad.

A man and woman facing each other indoors, with the man speaking and gesturing with an open hand, while the woman stands with her head tilted back, silhouetted against a bright window.

A woman sits on a couch with a laptop, holding a mug while a cat rests beside her.

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2. True or false: 3 in 10 women and girls aged 15-24 have been emotionally, financially, or psychologically abused by a partner.

True
False

True

False

True. Gender-based violence is a serious issue that affects everyone in Canada—especially young women. And it’s not just physical violence. Gender-based violence (GBV) is any act of violence based on someone’s gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. GBV typically falls into these four categories:

Emotional - threats, humiliation, intimidation, insults, controlling behaviour, stalking or cyber-stalking, deadnaming or denying someone’s gender identity, isolation from friends and family
Sexual - forced sexual touching or acts, forced sexual acts with other people, removing a condom without consent (stealthing), being forced to get naked or send a nude image
Physical - pushing, punching, kicking, slapping, choking or strangulation, restraining or locking someone in, throwing, breaking, or hitting objects
Financial - stealing financial information like PINs, pressuring or blackmailing to give money, controlling someone’s purchases, preventing someone from going to work or school

A close-up of a young woman's face resting on her hand, layered with an image of another young woman standing and holding cash while facing someone partially out of frame.

A silhouette of a person sitting on a bed in front of a bright window, combined with an image of a young woman lying in bed at night, looking at her phone screen.

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3. True or false: Only 45% of Canadians fully understand the meaning of consent.

True
False

True

False

True. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, only 45% of Canadians fully understand the meaning of sexual consent. Consent is when someone agrees to participate in something. For consent to be valid, it must be:

Understood by the person giving it
Given freely and enthusiastically
Given without pressure, threats, or manipulation
Able to be withdrawn at any time

A woman lying on her side, layered with an image of two hands gently touching on a white bedsheet.

A close-up of a smiling couple leaning their foreheads together, layered with an image of two hands holding, one with red-painted nails.

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4. True or false: Sexual violence isn’t always physical.

True
False

True

False

True. Sexual violence can include any form of sexual contact that is not wanted, and it does not have to be physical. It can also include online acts such as:

Forcing someone to get naked or send naked images
Sharing intimate images without consent
Online sexual exploitation — when children and youth are tricked into seeing or participating in online encounters of a sexual nature

Two young women wearing glasses, one standing behind the other, layered with an image of a hand resting gently on a person’s shoulder.

Dimly lit close-up of a woman in a top with thin straps, layered with an image of a hand holding a smartphone outdoors.

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5. True or false: Gender-based violence (GBV) affects everyone equally.

True
False

True

False

False. 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:

Indigenous people
People in rural areas
Newcomers to Canada
Women and girls with disabilities
Black and racialized people
People in 2SLGBTQI+ communities
Women and girls under 25

A close-up of a young woman's face with glittery pink eyeshadow and glossy lips, partially overlaid with vibrant geometric shapes in pink and orange.

Three individuals: on the left, a close-up of a woman with freckles looking thoughtful; in the center, a woman sitting in a wheelchair outdoors; and on the right, a person with bold red lipstick and styled hair looking directly at the camera.

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6. True or false: Gender-based violence (GBV) can happen at work.

True
False

True

False

True.Gender-based violence is rooted in a desire to assert power and control over others. It can happen in many places and can be carried out by anyone who has power over someone else. This could include a partner, family member, teacher, co-worker, classmate, friend, or even a stranger.

A woman with curly hair and glasses, resting her chin on her hands while focused on a laptop screen, with colorful geometric shapes overlaid on the image.

Two scenes: on the left, a woman with braids holding a laptop and touching her temple as if in thought; on the right, a close-up of a hand placed on the shoulder of a person wearing a blazer.

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7. True or false: It's important to set personal boundaries for romantic relationships only.

True
False

True

False

False. Setting personal boundaries for healthy relationships isn’t just for romantic partners —it’s also important with close friends, family, acquaintances, coaches and teachers.

Two scenes: on the left, a close-up of hands holding a smartphone; on the right, a man and woman sitting on a couch, facing each other.

Two scenes: on the left, two young women sitting together, one engaged in conversation while the other looks away thoughtfully; and on the right, a basketball player holding a ball and smiling at a coach during a discussion in a gymnasium.

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8. True or false: It is easy to ask for help when experiencing gender-based violence (GBV).

True
False

True

False

False. Seeking support for gender-based violence (GBV) isn’t always as simple as picking up the phone. There are many reasons a person might not seek help.

Internal barriers are things inside a person that can make it harder to get help for GBV. These can include how they see themselves, how they feel, or whether they know about places where they can get help.

External barriers are things outside a person that can make it harder to get help for GBV. These might include what people in their community believe, cultural ideas, or even laws. Sometimes, people don’t seek support because they’re afraid of being judged or punished.

Often, a combination of these barriers can make it harder for someone to ask for help when dealing with GBV.