Addressing Family and Gender-Based Violence – A message from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health

The impacts of family and gender-based violence (GBV) are heartbreaking, and can come in many forms, including physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural. Family violence and GBV can also affect people's social or economic situations, and can result in intergenerational trauma.

November 28, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

The impacts of family and gender-based violence (GBV) are heartbreaking, and can come in many forms, including physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, and behavioural. Family violence and GBV can also affect people's social or economic situations, and can result in intergenerational trauma. Sadly, the pandemic brought an increased risk of family and GBV as families faced more stress and reduced community supports, making it all the more important to take urgent action to stop this violence and support survivors and their families.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from November 25^th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day. This campaign provides an opportunity for everyone in Canada to come together to denounce abuse, speak up alongside those who are impacted, and renew our commitment to end gender-based violence. As the Prime Minister said in his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, "we all have a role to play in ending the cycle and ensuring everyone can feel safe now and into the future".

As part of the federal Gender-Based Violence Strategy, the Government of Canada has invested over $800 million, with $44 million per year ongoing. We have also committed approximately $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to organizations supporting individuals experiencing gender-based violence since April 2020. On November 9, the Government of Canada launched the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the first federal-provincial-territorial framework to address this important issue across Canada.

Additionally, PHAC is investing up to $18 million per year to support projects that promote healthy and safe relationships to prevent child maltreatment and teen dating violence. It also funds organizations to deliver and evaluate programs for victims, survivors, and at-risk populations, as well as equip health professionals and allied adults to recognize and respond safely to family and GBV. PHAC also works on raising awareness by providing resources to families and professionals, including the Pride Guide 2022: Youth Strategies for Tackling Gender-Based Violence in Our Schools, which highlights ongoing challenges that 2SLGBTQI+ youth and their peers across Canada face, as well as practical strategies that can help grow and strengthen school communities.

If you or your child is experiencing abuse or neglect, reach out. You are not alone. Wellness Together Canada offers free mental health and substance use support to all Canadians, including one-on-one phone counselling sessions with a mental health professional. Youth can also call Kids Help Phone to talk to a counsellor confidentially and anonymously.

Throughout this campaign, you can use the hashtag #16Days on social media to help raise awareness and take action to address gender-based violence. We also invite you to commemorate with us the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 and to celebrate the International Human Rights Day on December 10.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.

Contacts

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Maja Staka
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
343-552-5568

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca