Resources to End Gender-Based Violence
There’s a whole mountain of resources out there to learn more about ending gender-based violence, but good ones can be hard to find sometimes. We’ve collected some here…
Note: Most of these resources are free and online. We ADORE books and have lots of posts about the books we love. Pop by DWS to check out our lending library!
Highlights
This post is going to get long, so if you’re new or looking for a refresher, here’s our top picks to dive into:
Videos! Links! Memes! Infographics! Piles of learning can be found on DWS’ resources pages:
Understanding Violence, including ‘what is gender-based violence’
Femifesto’s ‘Use the Right Words’ - meant as a guide for journalists covering sexual violence, but a quick accessible intersectional read on why sexual violence happens and how we can end victim blaming
Every Ho I Know Says So video - seeing sex workers as humans with complex lives!????! YES PLEASE!
Ok… Moving on… We’re going to approach this alphabetically by subject even though there is so much overlapping of oppressions…
Ableism & Disabilities
Image Description: Infographic ‘Intersecting Oppresions Shape Experiences of IPV Faced by Women with Disabilities’ created by VAW Learning Network. Entire text here - https://www.vawlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/infographics/intersecting_oppressions_shape_experiences_of_ipv_faced_by_women_with_disabilities/index.html
Unlearning Ableism blog post by DWS as well as Resources to End Ableism and Disabled Activists to Follow
Factsheet - Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities by PLAN
Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Violence Prevention Overview by Vecova Centre for Disability Services and Research
Women with Disabilities and D/deaf Women, Housing, and Violence by VAW Learning Network
Girls Without Barriers: an intersectional feminist analysis of girls and young women with disabilities in Canada by DAWN Canada
Bystander Intervention
Draw the Line created by Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres
Lots of bystander intervention resources in this DWS blog post
Children & Parenting
Helping Our Kids Create a World Without Violence - DWS blog post with lots of links and ideas
Positive Discipline Parenting by Save the Children - PDF toolkit for parents, caregivers, and support workers.
Fatphobia
Ending Fatphobia to End Violence - DWS blog post about this instagram live chat with Kira-Lynn Ferderber with all sorts of amazing links and resources to end fatphobia as well as the link between fatphobia and gender-based violence
False Reporting
DWS’ blog post covers what is false reporting, why it happens so rarely, and how the bigger question to ask is why do so few survivors of sexual violence tell anyone about the assault?
FEmicide & High Risk
Recognizing Risk - DWS blog post covering what is femicide and resources with how to both recognize someone is at risk of being killed and how to help increase their safety.
Warning signs of domestic violence as well as the signs of lethality created by the Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign
Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability’s 2021 report: “Call it Femicide”
Image description: Infographic with text “Domestic violence: Is there a risk of death?
203 - the number of domestic homicides in Ontario between 2002 and 2007.
17% - the number of domestic homicides that make up the number of solved homicides in Canada.
47% of all family homicides. Victims are most vulnerable and at risk for death when they have left or are planning to leave the abuser.
50% - The approximate number of women who did not recognize risk factors before they were killed or almost killed.
How can I leave an abusive relationship? Know the risk. Don’t let on about your plan or intentions to leave your abuser. Build a support network. Create safety around the children. Get a protection order if necessary.”
Consent
DWS blog posts: Consent is Everything, Alcohol & Consent, 9 Ways to Practice Consent Everyday, and Clothes are Not Consent
If you loved the Consent Tea video, check out Consent for Kids which covers amazingly essential stuff like bodily autonomy!
HIV/AIDS
Women, HIV, and Stigma: A Toolkit for Creating Welcoming Spaces by WHAI
Smashing AIDS Stigma - DWS blog post
The Criminalization of HIV Non-Disclosure in Canada by The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
Harm Reduction
Image Description: Digital image with text, “Drug Users Deserve Dignity Not Death, @DWS_EndViolence” with digital illustrations of fireweed flowers.
Reducing Barriers to Support for Women Fleeing Violence: A Toolkit for Supporting Women with Varying Levels of Mental Wellness and Substance Use - a PDF toolkit by BC Society of Transition Houses
Harm Reduction Training Manual: A Manual for Frontline Staff Involved with Harm Reduction Strategies and Services by CATIE
Blood Ties Four Directions has a great, short instagram post: “What is Harm Reduction”
DWS blog post, Drug Users Deserve Dignity Not Death
Indigenous
Truth and Reconciliation Comission’s Final Report
Indigenous Women, HIV, and Gender-Based Violence by The Canadian HIV/AID Legal Network
What Two Spirit and Short Films About Two Spirit Folks - DWS blog post
I am a kind man: Encouraging Indigenous men to end violence
Image Description: Infographic with text “Indigenous Women and Domestic Violence Spousal assault rates against Aboriginal women are almost 3x higher than those against non-Aboriginal women 69 percent of victims said they did not report a domestic violence incident to police 40 percent of Indigenous respondents said they were physically or sexually abused as children. That was far more than the 29 percent of non-indigenous people who reported family violence 34 percent of Aboriginal women said that a current or former partner had been emotionally or financially abusive towards them in the 5 years preceding the survey, almost double that of non-Aboriginal women (17 percent) 9 percent of indigenous respondents said they were victims of spousal violence in 2014. That’s more than double the number of non-indigenous people (4%) who reported family violence in those years. Aboriginal women are more likely to experience severe or life-threatening family violence than non-Aboriginal women. 54 percent vs 37 percent Sources http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2011001/article/11439-eng.htm http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160121/dq160121b-eng.htm?HPA https://nwac.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2015/05/Fact_Sheet_Violence_Against_Aboriginal_Women.pdf”
You Are Not Alone: A Toolkit for Aboriginal Women Escaping Violence by Native Women’s Association Canada
Intersectionality
Beyond Diversity & Inclusion Training: Anti-Racism in the VAW Sector - video
LGBQT2SAI++
Let’s Talk About Gender… And Unicorns on the DWS blog
2SLGBTQ+ Inclusive Trauma-Informed Care with Jenna Mackay
Dismantling A Culture of Violence: Understanding Anti-Transgender Violence and Ending the Crisis by Human Rights Campaign
What Two Spirit and Short Films About Two Spirit Folks - DWS blog post
Recommendations for Inclusion of Trans, Two-spirit, Non-binary and Intersex People in Institutional Contexts by Chase Blodgett
You Are Made of Medicine: A Mental Health Peer Support Manual for Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+, and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous youth
Intersex Awareness Day - DWS blog post
Gender Identity and Pronouns
Community of Practice: Supporting Trans Women in VAW Shelters by Women’s Shelters Canada
LGBTQ2S Youth, Violence, and Homelessness by VAW Learning Network
Safety in Same Gender Relationships by QMUNITY and Legal Services Society, BC
Safety in Relationships: Trans Folks by QMUNITY and Legal Services Society, BC
Transitioning Our Shelters by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Why Pronouns Matter for Trans People
Power & Control
Abuse doesn’t happen because of what survivors were wearing or because a survivor had a drink, abuse happens because of abusers taking advantage of the small (sometimes tiny) and large ways they have power over their victims.
Created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, folks have adapted the Power and Control wheel to reflect intersectionality and different forms of oppression that survivors experience including:
Creator Power and Control Wheel
Culture Power and Control Wheel
Deaf Power and Control Wheel
Disabled Power and Control Wheel
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans Power and Control Wheel
HIV/AIDS: Coercive Factors Wheel
Immigrant Power and Control Wheel
Incarcerated Power and Control Wheel
Intergenerational Trauma Wheel
Medical Power and Control Wheel
Mental Health System Power and Control Wheel
Military Power and Control Wheel
Police Perpetrated Power and Control Wheel
Teen Power and Control Wheel
Trans Power and Control Tactics
Using Animal Cruelty Power and Control Wheel
Workplace Harassment Power and Control Wheel
If we’re talking about abuse, it can be important to describe what respect, equity, and safety look like too. There are some good examples of infographics created to describe what healthy relationships can look like:
Respect Wheel: People with Disabilities in Partner Relationships
This DWS blog post covers gaslighting, a manipulative tactic used to make someone doubt their reality.
Rural, Remote, and Northern Communities
Gender-Based Violence in Rural, Remote & Northern Communities by VAW Learning Network
Safety Planning
Safety Planning for People who Experience Domestic Violence by Neighbours, Friends, and Families
Includes developing a safety plan, getting ready to leave, leaving an abuser, after leaving, and if you need help
Image description: Infographic with text “Checklist of what to take when leaving an abusive situation • Identification for yourself and children: birth certificates, SIN cards, passports, immigration papers, driver’s license • Health insurance cards and medical records • Important personal papers: marriage certificate, custody orders, restraining orders, work permits, records of police reports or other evidence of abuse • Financial documents: housing documents (mortgage statement or rental agreement), account numbers, investment papers, tax returns (past two years), car registration and insurance information • Funds: cash, debit card, credit card, cheques • Medication: one month’s supply of medication for you and children, and a copy of all medication prescriptions • Phone numbers: important numbers and addresses of family, close friends, lawyer, local shelters and helplines • Keys: House and car keys, safety deposit box or post office box key • Valuables & keepsakes: important jewelry, small family heirlooms*, pictures, small toys, books and comfort items for children Note: many of these records are available online if you do not have paper copies *Note: if you have the ability and access, try to store any family heirlooms in a safety deposit box or another safe place before you leave”
Sex Work
The Toolkit: Ottawa area sex workers speak out by POWER
Listen to Sex Workers - DWS blog post
It’s Time to Listen to Sex Workers - video
Sexual Assault
Recognizing and Responding to the Commonly Misunderstood Reactions to Sexual Assault - free online training created by Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
Sexual Violence by VAW Learning Network
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence by VAW Learning Network
DWS blog post What is Sexual Violence based on work by Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres
Stalking
DWS’ Stalking Awareness month post is full of resources, videos, and great info
Suicide
#WeNeedYouHere created by We R Native
