Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women Community Feedback Sessions

Introduction

GBV-VAW Advisory Group MembersThe Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Office’s Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women (GBV-VAW) Advisory Group was established to advise on implementing a collective impact and participatory process and developing a comprehensive collective action plan. Membership of the GBV-VAW Advisory Group consists of representatives of community organizations and networks working in the GBV sector, individual GBV experts and persons with lived experience. Organizations on the GBV-VAW Advisory Group are the City of Ottawa, Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), Ottawa Coalition To End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW), Interval House, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre (EORC), Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC), Planned Parenthood Ottawa (PPO), Counselling and Family Services Ottawa (CFS Ottawa), and Project Agape.

The GBV-VAW Advisory Group’s next critical priority is to develop and implement a 3-year GBV-VAW action plan that is robust, and community and sector-led, addressing the GBV-related priorities that have emerged from community engagements. This plan will outline the subsequent steps for the GBV-VAW priority of the CSWB Plan.

To enhance the development and implementation of a 3-year GBV-VAW action plan, OCTEVAW will be hosting community feedback sessions to further engage the community.

The Engage Ottawa Sessions aim to:

• Engage impacted communities in shaping Ottawa’s response to GBV within the CSWB Plan.
• Identify systemic gaps and opportunities in city-led GBV prevention and intervention strategies.
• Ensure accountability and transparency by centering survivor voices and community-led priorities in municipal decision-making.

Background

The City’s first Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (ACS2021-EPS-PPD-0003) was approved on October 27, 2021, and updated on October 3, 2024 (ACS2024-CSS-GEN-012).

Following the consultative process with residents, seven priority areas as well as goals, strategies, and outcomes to address these priorities were identified and approved by Council:

Discrimination, Marginalization and Racism Financial Security and Poverty Reduction Gender-based Violence and Violence Against Women Housing Integrated and Simpler Systems Mental Well-Being Youth Social Development

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a pressing issue in Ottawa, disproportionately impacting women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals, particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, racialized, disabled, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQ+. The Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan acknowledges the urgent need for a coordinated, community-driven response to GBV, ensuring that policies, services, and funding decisions reflect the needs and lived experiences of survivors and frontline organizations.

What is Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender, gender identity, or perceived gender expression. Rooted in unequal power dynamics, systemic discrimination, and social norms, GBV reinforces gender inequality and disproportionately affects women, girls, Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people.

GBV can occur in homes, workplaces, online spaces, institutions, and public areas, violating human rights and posing a major barrier to gender equity and social justice.

Examples of Gender-Based Violence:

• Physical Violence
  1. Example: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) – Physical assault by a partner or femicide.
• Sexual Violence & Harassment
  1. Example: Rape & Sexual Assault – Forced sexual acts, including marital rape.
  2. Example: Workplace Harassment – Unwanted sexual advances.
• Psychological & Emotional Abuse
  1. Example: Coercive Control – Restricting autonomy and relationships.
• Economic Abuse
  1. Example: Financial Control – Blocking access to money or work.
• Institutional & Structural GBV
  1. Example: Healthcare Barriers – Denial of gender-affirming care.
• Online & Tech-Facilitated GBV
  1. Example: Image-Based Abuse – Non-consensual sharing of intimate photos.
  2. Example: Cyberstalking – Digital harassment and tracking.

If You Need Support Right Now

• Unsafe at Home Ottawa – 24/7 text & chat support for survivors of domestic violence.
• Counselling Family Service Ottawa - Survivor Directory – Resources for survivors of GBV, IPV, and sexual violence.
• Immigrant Women’s Services Ottawa – Support for racialized, immigrant, and refugee women facing GBV.
• Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre – Confidential support for sexual assault survivors.
• LGBT Youthline – Support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing violence or discrimination.