Federal action on gender-based violence

Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)

WAGE leads the development and implementation of the federal GBV Strategy. The Department manages the Gender-based Violence Program and the Women’s Program, providing direct funding to community organizations to help them prevent and address GBV, and to address systemic barriers to women’s equality in Canadian society. It also works with provincial and territorial governments to support victims and survivors of GBV, and currently has bilateral agreements with all jurisdictions to support crisis hotlines and the implementation of the National Action Plan to End GBV.

Example of impact of this work

Since 2018, WAGE has invested over 340 million dollars in more than 800 projects to advance efforts to prevent and address GBV. As part of the GBV Program, in 2024–2025, the results include over 90,000 people reached directly, over 2,200 resources developed, and over 1,400 partnerships strengthened or developed. In 2025–26, 120 organizations received 25.6 million dollars to develop promising practices and undertake community-based research. This includes over 3.5 million dollars for 28 organizations through the call for proposals Addressing GBV through Promising Practices and Community-based Research – Stream 2: Community-based Research. Funded projects are generating critical, community-driven knowledge to better understand and respond to the needs of those most impacted by gender-based violence, and cover a variety of facets such as human trafficking, intimate partner violence, engaging men and boys, etc.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

PHAC supports projects that promote safe relationships and prevent child maltreatment, youth dating violence, and family violence from a health perspective. PHAC also supports initiatives to equip health professionals and service providers with tools to recognize and respond safely to family violence. In addition, PHAC provides information on Canadian resources and support services and more general information on family violence, through the Stop Family Violence website.

Example of impact of this work

Through the GBV Strategy, PHAC has supported 98 projects that deliver and test health promotion programs and interventions aiming to build evidence-based and effective interventions in the field of family violence. These funded projects reached over 40,100 children, youth, older adults and families at-risk of or affected by violence, and over 62,160 professionals and service providers since 2018. The findings from these projects have helped produce more than 3,470 knowledge products and events, reaching over 371,700 people. A recent review of the academic literature on family violence showed that PHAC-funded projects – including those supported through the GBV Strategy – contributed to generating 17% of all peer-reviewed articles on family violence prevention published in Canada from 2014 to 2024, accounting for a significant contribution to Canadian research and evidence.

Public Safety Canada (PS)

PS leads and develops various initiatives to address GBV, including efforts to counter Human Trafficking. It also provides leadership on Firearms policy, works to prevent and address bullying and cyberbullying among youth, and leads the Government of Canada's efforts to counter radicalization to violence through the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence.

Example of impact of this work

The Online Dangers Roadshow raised awareness and educated youth in grades 7 and 8 about online child sexual exploitation and cyberbullying in 21 schools across Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2024. More than 2,700 youth and 133 educators received resources to help them take safe action, protect themselves and access support when needed. Through the Online Dangers virtual pilot program, 42 sessions took place virtually in 12 schools located in Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Ontario, and British Columbia. Students were equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognize and to safely and effectively respond to online dangers.

Department of National Defence (DND)

DND supports those affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community through the Department’s SexualMisconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), which includes trauma-informed services.

Example of impact of this work

The SMSRC supports 33 organizations that provide services tailored to the unique needs of individuals affected by sexual misconduct. These services include peer support, counseling, crisis lines, education and outreach, research and other alternative approaches. More information is available in the SMSRC Community Impact Report 2024–2025.

Department of Justice Canada (Justice)

Justice addresses GBV through policy measures, program funding and law reform, including reforms to enact protections throughout the justice system for victims and survivors of GBV. Through the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, victims of crime have the right to information, protection, participation, and to seek restitution. The Department also provides information about family violence, the laws relating to family violence and the kind of help that is available.

Example of impact of this work

Through funding provided by Justice, survivors of intimate partner violence across Canada have access to 58 targeted legal and support services, including independent legal advice, independent legal representation, navigation, legal education, crisis intervention, and counselling. More than 14,000 survivors have accessed these services since 2021. To help survivors of intimate partner violence navigate the family justice system, Justice has provided funding to support 61 new family justice resources since 2021.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP continues to advance key initiatives to prevent and address GBV and intimate partner violence (IPV). It has coordinators and investigators nationwide and is strengthening training and capacity across the country to effectively address GBV. The RCMP has also updated its national operational policy on IPV, giving officers clearer direction, including guidance on Clare’s Law, coercive control, and a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach. The policy further encourages officers to be aware of community resources that support victims and survivors. More information is available on the RCMP’s website.

Example of impact of this work

A total of 63 law enforcement partners from across Canada joined together for Project STEEL: a project jointly led by the RCMP, National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Sûreté du Québec. This multi-jurisdictional operation focused on targeting online child sexual exploitation across the country and safeguarding children. As of March 2025, 106 Canadian individuals had been arrested and 37 children safeguarded. Even though the two-week operation has concluded, the impacts of this operation will grow as investigations move forward.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

IRCC supports newcomers, immigrants and refugees through the Gender-Based Violence Settlement Sector Strategy Partnership. It is a collaborative national partnership that works to better equip frontline settlement workers with tools and resources to spot and respond to GBV, and provide appropriate referrals for newcomers and refugees to other community supports.

Example of impact of this work

Since the launch of the bilingual Bridges to Safety online training, 1,567 settlement sector staff completed the training. Not only did the training improve their capacity to effectively respond to GBV, but it also gave them the tools to adopt a preventative, awareness-raising approach when engaging with newcomers, immigrants and refugees. The GBV Settlement Strategy Project website continues to provide tools and resources for settlement organizations. In 2024–2025, the site was accessed by over 6,100 users and has recorded more than 19,100 visits since its launch.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

CIRNAC leads the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, which is the Government of Canada's contribution to the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People National Action Plan. They report on federal progress in advancing the Calls for Justice intended to address the root causes that sustain violence against First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people identified in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report.

Example of impact of this work

In 2025–2026, CIRNAC funded 12 projects that provide assistance and services to support the healing journeys of Indigenous family members and survivors who have missing or lost loved ones due to violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This initiative responds directly to Calls for Justice 3.7, 5.6, and 17.20.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

ISC supports emergency shelters and transitional (second stage) housing to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada, through the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP).

Example of impact of this work

In 2023–24, through its network of emergency shelters and transition homes, ISC was able to support the provision of essential care and services to 8,466 Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQI+ people facing violence. In addition, the Family Violence Prevention Program continues to work closely with selected projects through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative to ensure new emergency shelters and transition homes become operational. This includes 80 in total – 38 emergency shelters and 42 transition homes (second-stage housing).

Sport Canada

Sport Canada is supporting victims and survivors of maltreatment in sport, through the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP). As Canada’s independent third party, the CSSP prohibits various forms of gender-based violence, including sexual maltreatment and harassment. Additionally, the CSSP provides education, prevention tools, resources, and mental health referrals to support the detection, awareness, and management of maltreatment.

Example of impact of this work

Since its launch, 93 organizations have adopted the CSSP and are subject to the program. Over 16,000 national-level sport participants of the CSSP have completed the CSSP e-learning which helps participants understand their right to a safe sport environment, which behaviours are prohibited, how to recognize and report prohibited behaviours and the consequences for people who violate the rules.

Finance Canada (Finance)

Finance is working with stakeholders and banks to develop a voluntary Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Economic Abuse that will set clear expectations for how banks can identify, prevent, and respond to economic abuse, a type of gender-based violence.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

The CRA supports people facing an abusive or violent situation, including financial abuse, by helping victims and survivors of GBV to continue to access tax benefits and credits payments.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 

GAC works with international partners to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence globally, by providing international assistance to address this global crisis, improve justice and accountability, and empower survivors.

At the United Nations, Canada has long advocated for this issue through the leadership of the biennial Human Rights Council resolution on the elimination of violence against women and girls. In 2025, this resolution was adopted by consensus and emphasized prevention through the fulfillment of economic, social, and cultural rights. That same year Canada also signed the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará Convention).

Example of impact of this work

Since 2017, GAC has contributed more than $540 million in international assistance to respond and prevent this global crisis, to improve justice and accountability, and empower survivors.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

VAC is creating safer and more inclusive environments for women Veterans and their families through improved support services, targeted research, and increased collaboration with experts in the field. VAC also ensures that all frontline staff complete mandatory training in gender-based analysis and trauma-informed care as they continue to advance this work.