Statement by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women

“During the month of May, some Canadian provinces and territories are raising awareness on sexual assault and harassment in Canadian society. Data show that as many as one in three women in Canada will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives. To make matters worse, sexual assault continues to be one of the most under-reported crimes, with as many as nine out of every ten sexual assaults against women not being reported to police. This needs to change. I encourage all Canadians to take part in the public discussion about gender-based violence. Let's talk about how we can better support survivors in coming forward. Let's talk about the roles and responsibilities of men and boys. Let's make consent a topic of our dinner table conversations. By bringing these issues out of the shadows and into the light, we can make real progress toward a more equitable society, one that is safer for all Canadians.”