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COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
We can prevent and end gender-based violence, support survivors and address the root causes of why it happens.
Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
Gender-based violence is violence that is committed against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender.
Based on research by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, Statistics Canada and the Status of Women Canada:
The most common forms of gender-based violence in Alberta are:
It is any use of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, within a relationship.
It can happen many times or just once, and the abuse happens through the use of assault and/or controlling behaviour.
It includes intimate partner violence, which happens between people who are or were previously dating, common-law or married. They could also have had a child together without being in a relationship.
To find out more, see the Family violence prevention page.
It is an act committed against someone's sexual integrity without that person’s freely given consent.
It can be physical and/or non-contact, affects all ages and genders, and the person committing the act may be known or a stranger.
It includes both sexual assault and sexual harassment – and is against both civil and criminal law.
To find out more, see the Sexual violence prevention page.
This is a serious crime that exploits people of all ages, ethnicities and genders.
It is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, holding, concealing, harbouring or receipt of a person to take advantage of or exploit. Examples of this include:
It involves the:
To find out more, see the following pages:
It happens when a person in a position of trust or authority uses that power to start or attempt sexual activity with another person.
It can be through direct or indirect touching, violence, coercion or the use of threats.
It is a crime when the exploited person is either:
Indigenous women in Canada are 3 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-Indigenous women. In Alberta, 206 Indigenous women were murdered between 1980 and 2012 – accounting for 28% of all female homicide victims in that time period.
To find out more, see the Increasing safety for Indigenous women and girls page.
It includes all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia – or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
It is sometimes called ‘female circumcision.'
It is a crime in Canada:
Men and boys are key to preventing and ending gender-based violence. Based on this, there are several things that they can do:
It is important that men and boys:
Examples of programs that engage men and boys to promote respectful relationships, positive gender roles and equality include:
16 Days of Activism is an international event that is designated and led by the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). It happens each year from November 25 to December 10.
The Alberta government and its community partners lead awareness activities and events each year to:
There are 4 gender-based violence awareness campaigns that align with and support the 16 Days of Activism:
Since 2015, the minister who is responsible for the status of women has led the 16 Days of Activism in Alberta.
To find out about helplines, victim services, shelters and other supports, see the Sexual violence – Get help page.
See the ‘Help in other languages’ section on the Sexual violence – Get help page.
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