The Government of Ontario is taking action to prevent and address gender-based violence in all forms. As we reflect on the horrific impact of gender-based violence, particularly the tragic loss of lives among women and children, we must come together in our resolve to create a better province, full of opportunity and free of gender-based violence. We know that gender-based violence often leaves communities shattered and families grappling with enduring intergenerational trauma. Ontario is committed to ending these unacceptable acts of violence in our province and supporting survivors and their families.
Ontario is taking action to combat these terrible crimes, leading the charge against human trafficking and child exploitation through our Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. But we acknowledge that there is more work to do. Recent tragic events make it even more clear that there is a need to increase efforts to prevent gender-based violence before it occurs — and to better protect and support people experiencing intimate partner and family violence.
Ontario- STANDS : Standing Together Against gender-based violence Now through Decisive actions, prevention, empowerment and Supports will bring us one step closer to a system focused on preventing and ending cycles of intimate partner and family violence, while supporting crisis-response services that are in high demand, such as shelters and crisis help-lines. The action plan will help us move towards a more connected system where child protection workers, police, judges, social workers, educators, and health care professionals collaborate and share information more often.
Sector partners can work together to help keep women and their children safe by identifying and stopping perpetrators early — and holding them accountable for abusive behaviour. Gender-based violence is a complex, multi-faceted problem and must be addressed with evidence-based and targeted approaches. That is why we are supporting culturally responsive and trauma-informed initiatives and programs for newcomer, Indigenous and rural and remote communities.
A community call for proposals will expand gender-based violence prevention programs and fund innovative evidence-based approaches that respond to local and community-specific needs. Addressing the intersection of intimate partner violence and the child welfare system will also help intervene and provide support early. At its root, gender-based violence is often based in harmful attitudes about women.
