Economic Abuse undermines the autonomy and financial security of survivors. It encompasses an array of coercive strategies including economic control, economic exploitation, economic deprivation, and employment sabotage in an attempt to undermine the economic independence of survivors.

Visit the Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment to learn about evidenced-based research, and the resources and supports available enable marginalized domestic violence survivors recover from Economic Abuse. https://ccfwe.org/

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Who can participate? People in Canada who have experienced sexual violence, whether reported or not, and are 16 or older, or caregivers who have reported sexual violence for a child or a person with a disability.

What if I never reported to the police? We want to learn more about the reasons survivors do not report.

Will the survey ask difficult questions? All questions are optional. You can choose to skip a question or not continue at any point. A list of support agencies is available here.

How will you protect my privacy? We will not ask for your name or contact information. Your answers will be anonymous so you can’t be identified.

How long will the survey take? The survey will take 20 – 45 minutes to complete. This will depend on how far your case progressed and how much you write in open-ended questions.

What will you do with my answers? What we learn will be included in a final report with recommendations. We will request a formal response from the federal government.

To participate: Please click here Sexual Violence and Criminal Justice in Canada – Survivors

For more information: Systematic Investigation – Survivors of sexual assault 

Get Support – BC: Victim Link BC Phone: 1-800-563-0808 (multilingual services available)

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Around the world, every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. 1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime.
Each year, around the world, from November 25 to December 10, people come together for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. This movement, initiated by UN Women, bridges the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and Human Rights Day (December 10) — a poignant reminder that gender-based violence is a fundamental violation of human rights.

The Government of Canada’s theme for 2024 is Come Together, Act Now. It emphasizes the crucial role everyone has – particularly men and boys – in changing social norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence. It is also a call to action urging all of us to recognize the signs of gender-based violence and to reach out for support, for ourselves or loved ones.

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, learn about 16 ways you can help end gender-based violence beyond the 16 days of activism!

1. Acknowledge the problem. Everyone in Canada – women, men, transgender and gender diverse people – can be a victim of gender-based violence.
2. Know the risks. The odds of experiencing violence are not the same for everyone. Young women and girls, Black and racialized women and girls, Indigenous women and girls, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender non-binary individuals, women in Northern, rural, and remote communities, and people with disabilities are at much greater risk of experiencing GBV.
3. Stop victim shaming/blaming. Generally, victims won’t report gender-based violence cases to the police because they feel they will be shamed by their families, friends, or the offender.
4. Be alert to non-physical violence. Not all gender-based violence is physical. Name-calling, stalking, harassment, control (including financial), cyber attacks, and manipulation are all forms of GBV.
5. Avoid gender stereotypes: Men and boys also suffer from unfair social expectations, like having to be tough and be the main breadwinner. Women can be CEOs, girls can build great things, men can cry, and boys can like pink, just to name a few.
6. Challenge social norms. Research suggests that gendered language reinforces inequality and more regressive norms. Harmful social norms that sustain GBV include ideals for women’s sexual purity or protecting family honour over women’s safety. Don’t accept phrases like “boys will be boys” or “she was asking for it” as an excuse for negative or criminal behaviours.
7. Remove negative stigma. Most of sexual assaults do not come to the attention of police. A major reason is fear, shame, and embarrassment of being judged, blamed, or not believed. You can help end stigma by believing and supporting those who report being victimized by GBV.
8. Educate youth. Generally, violence is a learned behaviour. Young people need to learn how to openly communicate in relationships so they can give and ask for consent, set boundaries, and speak up if they see or experience sexual violence. You can help by showing good behaviour, like being open about your own boundaries.
9. Know what to do if someone asks for help. Services for survivors are essential services. If there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1. In Canada shelters, hotlines, counselling, and other supports and services for those affected by gender-based violence are available in most communities.
10. Engage men and boys. The majority of men and boys do not engage in violence against women and are needed as allies to help change the culture. Men and boys can lead by example by rejecting violent behaviours toward women, girls, and non-binary people and being willing to speak out whenever they see violence or harassment directed at others.
11. Recognize triggers. If you, your friends, or family are in a time of crisis, seek support and learn which local, regional, and national services for those affected by gender-based violence are available to help. Times of crises, like financial pressures from a job loss or a global pandemic, can increase the risk of GBV.
12. Take action. Don’t be a bystander. Learn safe ways you can intervene if gender-based violence is happening around you, such as unwanted sexual attention in public.
13. Promote gender diversity in workplaces. A lack of gender diversity in the workplace, particularly in leadership roles, can foster unsafe work environments that include harassment, like sexist jokes – a form of GBV.
14. Highlight positive role models. It’s important to see others who look and act like us succeeding. Role models that reflect a range of genders, ages, and ethnicities, such as community leaders, celebrities, athletes, Indigenous elders, or teachers, help engage youth.
15. Support shelters. The most dangerous time for a victim of abuse is when they try to leave their abuser. Shelters have resources and training to help victims leave safely.
16. Put safety first. Do not stay in a dangerous situation if you can leave safely. Shelters can provide short-term housing, support, legal aid, and even financial help. Victim services can help you develop a plan, find ways to protect yourself, and help you get a non-criminal protection order to keep the person who abused you away from you.

Additional Resources: 

• Learn about gender-based violence
• Read the Reclaiming Power and Place report, which outlines the systemic barriers and solutions for addressing violence against Indigenous women and girls, delivering 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.
• Check out It’s Not Just, a youth awareness campaign to end gender-based violence
• Tools to help end gender-based violence

Need Help?

• VictimLink BC – 24/7 toll-free, confidential, multilingual support for victims of crime and trauma across BC: 1-800-563-0808
• Directory of Police-Based Victim Services Programs in BC
• Directory of BC Community-Based Victim Services Programs, Stopping the Violence Counselling & Outreach Programs, and Sexual Assault Services Programs
• Directory of Transition Houses and Safe Houses in BC

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Did you know November 17 to 24 marks Restorative Justice Week in BC? Across the nation and internationally, this annual event raises awareness of restorative justice programs, principles and practices. Restorative Justice Week also provides an opportunity to recognise restorative justice practitioners and honour those who have been harmed or have harmed and have engaged in restorative justice.

Victim participation is central to restorative justice initiatives. As police-based victim services professionals, being knowledgeable of restorative justice is an important part of our role in ensuring victims’ rights are respected. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights articulates that victims have the right to information about restorative justice. Being knowledgeable of restorative justice ensures victims are fully informed and provided with victim centric support throughout a restorative justice process.

One of the most straightforward ways to describe restorative justice is as an alternative or supplement to the traditional criminal justice system. Our current system, often responding to harm done in relationships or crimes, asks three questions: (1) What law was broken?, (2) Who broke it?, and (3) What punishment is warranted? Restorative justice asks different questions, focusing on strengthening relationships between individuals and ties to one another in their communities. It asks us: Who was harmed? What are the needs and responsibilities of all affected? How do the parties together address needs and repair harm?

Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm caused by crime and violence by facilitating a process that addresses victims’ needs and holds offenders meaningfully accountable for their actions.

In BC, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General provides funding to Community Accountability Programs and Indigenous Justice Programs across all regions of the province. The RCMP has a long history of supporting restorative justice and in many communities facilitates various restorative justice processes. Within the framework of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Ministry of Children and Family Development offers restorative justice programs for youth through the Youth Justice Conferencing program. Correctional Services of Canada offers the Restorative Opportunities Program, delivered by Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives, for victims who are harmed by a federally sentenced offender.

The modern application of restorative justice in Canada dates back to 1974, in the community of Kitchener-Waterloo, but restorative justice has traditionally been deeply rooted across the history of global Indigenous communities. These Indigenous peacemaking practices are inseparable from the restorative healing practices that are lived every day in connection with oneself, one’s community, and nature according to Indigenous traditions and way of life.

Restorative justice aligns with the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Additional Resources:

• Restorative Justice – An Overview (Province of BC)
• Province of BC Community Accountability Programs and Indigenous Justice Programs
• Correctional Service of Canada Restorative Justice (Restorative Opportunities Program – federally sentenced offenders)
• Principles and Guidelines for Restorative Justice Practice in Criminal Matters (Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat)
• Restorative Justice – Key Elements of Success (Canadian Intergovernmental Conference Secretariat)
• A Report on the Relationship between Restorative Justice and Indigenous Traditions in Canada (Justice Canada)

With respect and gratitude,

The PVSBC Team

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Dear PVSBC Members,

As we recognize Crime Prevention Week, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation for the critical work each of you does in supporting and protecting the communities of British Columbia. Your role in Police-Based Victim Services is essential—not only in providing compassionate support to victims but also in contributing to the broader goal of crime prevention.

The roots of Crime Prevention Week reflect a commitment to creating safer communities and ensuring individuals impacted by crime have the support they need to move forward. In British Columbia, your efforts to assist victims and collaborate with law enforcement play an indispensable part in this mission. Your presence and expertise provide both immediate support and long-term stability for victims, which is key in building resilient, secure communities.

Through your work, you are a trusted ally in helping people navigate traumatic experiences, and your support lays the foundation for restoring peace and stability in their lives. You also strengthen our communities by helping to foster trust in the justice system and creating pathways to healing that prevent future harm. Your work is a testament to the importance of victim-centered support in crime prevention.

Police Victim Services of BC is dedicated to championing your role and advocating on behalf of the sector. We are actively working to secure fair wages, stable funding, and essential resources so that you are fully supported in the vital work you do. Your commitment to victims, your expertise, and the compassion you bring to your work are invaluable, and we are here to ensure your contributions are recognized and supported.

This week, please take a moment to acknowledge the difference you make. Your work extends beyond any single case, creating ripples of safety, trust, and healing across our communities. Police Victim Services of BC stand with you, honouring the role you play in making our communities safer and stronger.

In solidarity and with heartfelt thanks and respect,

Lina Thompson

Executive Director

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Program and Registration details to be available in early December.

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