Time for Change: Ending Violence Against Women

Violence against women dates back over 2000 years, when Roman law granted a man life and death authority over his wife.

In China for over 1000 years, foot binding as a means of subjugating women, did not end until 1912.

In the 1700s and 1800s, English common law granted men the right to use a whip or a stick to discipline their wives and children. Even in pop culture and movies, the traditional view of masculinity admires men with aggression.

On December 1st, the Assaulted Women's Hotline (Ontario) will hold a fashion fundraiser to raise awareness and funds to protect women from violence. Over 50% of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16, and this shocking statistic demonstrates why it is critical to discuss this issue.

Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, declared in a 2006 report posted on the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) website:??

“Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime, with the abuser usually someone known to her.”

Domestic Abuse: Signs and Facts

An important detail to be aware of is that abusive relationships don’t always start that way. Over time, a woman may not realize that the relationship is becoming increasingly abusive.

Some telltale signs to look out for are:

• Abuser not allowing you to contact family or friends
• Requiring you to “check in” throughout the day
• Accusing you of being unfaithful
• Preventing you from attending events outside of work

Staggering facts:

• On any given day, more than 3,000 Canadian women (with their 2,500 children) are living in an emergency shelter to escape domestic violence
• Each week in Canada, one woman will die at the hands of her abuser
• Violence against women exists in all cultures, ages, religions, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, and income levels. Calls for help come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds that require critical and immediate assistance
• In Canada each year, over 500,000 women over the age of 15 reported they had been sexually assaulted. Only 10% of all sexual assaults are reported to the police, so the actual number is higher.??
• Violence against women affects us ALL. The cost of violence against women in Canada is a heavy cost to society. We are all affected. The cost to health care, criminal justice, social services, lost wages, and productivity has been calculated at over CA$7+ billion each year.

Assaulted Women’s Hotline

It is imperative that we have resources readily available and accessible to help women in need. Without the proper support, a woman may not consider leaving an abusive relationship due to:

• Fear or shame
• Income?
• Cultural or familial pressures (wanting to keep the family “intact” even if abusive)
• Immigration status
• Countless other realities that make it difficult and sometimes impossible for a woman to leave her abuser

The goal of AWHL (Assaulted Women's Hotline) is to provide free, anonymous, confidential crisis counselling 24/7 to offer emotional support, safety planning, information, and referrals to local shelters and legal and health resources over the phone in up to 200+ languages from a feminist perspective.

From humble beginnings in 1985, when AWHL fielded 500 calls a month, the Helpline now receives over 2000 calls a month, 70% of which were from assaulted women.??

During the pandemic, the Helpline received an increase of 30% in calls. The situation for assaulted women had intensified since women remained locked down at home with their abuser. Globally, this was named the shadow pandemic.

Crisis hotlines such as AWHL are becoming more important than ever, so what can you do to help during this time for change to end violence against women?

Community Support is the Solution

Here are a few solutions:

• Educate Oneself.? Learn about the issues surrounding gender equality and ending violence against women.
• Talk about the issue.? Each time we discuss the issue and share a story, it sheds more light on it, breaking the silence.??
• Educate the next generation.? Talk to peers, co-workers, friends, family and children about respect, gender equality, and positive attitudes toward girls and women.? Set a roadmap for the next generation for gender equality.
• Support shelters, resources, hotlines and essential services for survivors.? Funding services are critical, which is why we have the December 1st fundraiser!
• Consent.? Consent.? Consent.? Understand that both people must agree to a mutual activity, and either side may want to stop at any time.
• Learn the signs of abuse.? Know that a healthy relationship is based on respect, trust, support, honesty, fair, mutual consent, and does not make you feel threatened.? Anything less than this could be physical, psychological, sexual, or domestic violence against a woman.

With the global networks we have now, communications, information, technology, and the conscious evolution of humans around the planet, the time for change is now.

I believe that in one generation, we can stop the cycle and end the violence against women.

The conversation starts here and now.

To Donate:

#WAHL #OrangeTheWorld #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #MirabelSisters #SupportWomen