Understanding Violence
During 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, from November 25 to December 10, we call on everyone to take action!
To end gender-based violence, we need to understand the problem.
Why call it ‘gender-based’?
Folks who experience gender-based violence are targeted because of their gender. This means that the targets are usually women, girls, Two Spirit folks, trans folks, non binary folks, and many other marginalized genders.
Gender-based violence is violence that is committed against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender.
In situations of elder abuse, seniors are targeted because their age makes them vulnerable. They often rely on outside supports. Because sexism sadly still exists (disagree? There’s more CEOs named ‘John’ than women in top positions), women and other marginalized genders are at higher risk for violence because of the power imbalance.
GBV can include:
emotional abuse
verbal abuse
financial abuse
stalking
physical abuse
sexual violence
transphobic violence
threats and intimidation
degrading or controlling behaviour
street harassment
reproductive coercion
Why does GBV keep Happening?
GBV is a Canadian problem.
Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. Rates of gender-based violence in Yukon are three times the national average. Indigenous women and girls are three to four times more likely to experience gender-based violence.
Violence doesn’t happen because of clothes, or having a drink, or because someone had a bad day. Gender-based violence happens because of power and how abusers like to feel powerful and the feeling of controlling another person.
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:
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
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
More than just dark alleys
Our culture repeats the story of ‘creepy looking guys in dark alleys’ being the most dangerous people and places when people we trust and our own homes are the most dangerous to us.
Cognitive dissonance and minimizing is a powerful coping strategy that our entire culture uses to avoid talking about the overwhelmingly high number of survivors and abusers that we know.
In workshops, we ask youth what they are doing to avoid being sexually assaulted. The young women tell us a long list: making sure to walk home without their ear buds in, being aware of their surroundings, carrying their keys in their fist, making sure they have a buddy with them, never leaving their drink unattended at a party, pretending to be on the phone with someone, and more. All of the things that women and other marginalized genders do to protect themselves is called a ‘rape schedule’ and all of these prevention strategies are based on stranger danger, instead of recognizing that 87% of sexual assault survivors know the person that harmed them.
Having conversations with our friend groups, in our workplaces, and our classrooms about what we would do if one of our friends, classmates, or colleagues was being harmed or was abusive, is an important first step to undoing myths about gender-based violence.
This isn’t my problem
Sadly, gender-based violence is all of our problems. The numbers are too high. The survivors are too many. Chances are you already know someone who is living in or who has survived an abusive relationship or has been sexually assaulted.
People who choose to use abuse are actually a very small group of people, but ending violence is going to take our entire community. Shifting our culture away from sexism and rape culture is going to take a lot of work and
‘For ages, women have been at the forefront of domestic violence. They have been screaming their lungs out about domestic violence. But we, as men, never join the conversation. We never speak about domestic violence. We never accept our role. We never admit we have a part to play in it. As men, we have to start accepting that role and taking that responsibility for the actions that can contribute to women loosing their lives.’ - Christian Rainey
‘Calling gendered violence a women’s issue is part of the problem. It gives men an excuse not to pay attention’ - Jackson Katz
What Can I do?
When thinking about giant systems of power like sexism, racism, colonialism, and lots of others, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and powerless. We have already made massive changes since women’s shelters were first being founded in the late seventies.
No longer seen as just a family issue, but a problem that affects our entire community, there are lots of ways for each of us to work to end violence every day:
Commit to learning move about gender-based violence. Learn how to recognize the foundations that keep violent systems in place.
Unlearn the myths and lies that we’ve been taught about sexual violence and partner violence.
Be ready to support a friend if they need help.
Follow DWS (plus other amazing activists and organizations) on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for daily info about consent and so much more.
Interrupt sexist, racists, homophobic, and other harmful jokes and comments.
Come to one of the many 16 Days of Activism events planned by Dawson orgs.
Prepare! Have convos with your friends about what you would do if a friend was being harmed.
We’ve got your back! Call DWS’ 24 Hour Support Line either when you need support or when you have questions about GBV or about helping a friend.
Don’t keep it to yourself! Tell others about 16 Days of Activism, your commitment to ending gender-based violence, and all the incredible events happening.
Check out the resources section of DWS’ website for lots of info on why violence happens and how we can take action.
Check out all the 16 Days of Activism events here:
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