On April 11th , WomanACT submitted a formal letter to Premier Doug Ford and all Members of Provincial Parliament, calling for the revival and passage of Bill 173 — The Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act.
Backed by over 30 community organizations, our letter urges the Ontario government to take action on the preventable and widespread crisis of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Recognizing IPV as an epidemic must go beyond symbolism—it requires lasting action, including new legislation, regulatory changes, policy directives, targeted programs, and sustainable budget measures. The Ontario government has an opportunity to take action, but only if we keep this issue at the forefront.
We all deserve a government that is committed to ending gender-based violence.
Canada will be having a federal election on April 28th, 2025. Every vote helps shape the policies that matter— gender equity and safety. Federal elections shape policies that impact gender equity and safety in our communities. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Canada—especially Indigenous, Black, trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary individuals, immigrant, refugee, and non-status women, and women with disabilities—are facing heightened risks of violence.
Every election matters, but now more than ever, Canada needs strong leadership and coordination across all levels of government to ensure sustained investments in gender-based violence prevention. 1 woman or girl is killed every 48 hours in Canada. Voting is a powerful way to hold candidates accountable and demand a future that prioritizes gender equity and safety for all.
Make gender equity a priority this election. Stay informed, ask questions, and vote for the future you want to see!
For more information voting visit: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx
Calls to Action:
We urge all political parties to commit to ending gender-based violence through increased investment, coordinated strategy, and systemic change. Specifically, this election, we are calling for:
- A coordinated, funded, and community-led national strategy to end gender-based violence that prioritizes violence prevention.
- Strengthen systems collaboration focused on prevention, particularly for Indigenous and rural communities.
- Investment in affordable and safe housing options for women, gender-diverse people and their families, including the option to remain safely in their own homes.
- To declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an epidemic.
- Allocate funding towards a comprehensive data collection and evaluation strategy to support evidence-based policies and programs for survivors.
Policy Recommendations
For policymakers and community members seeking to understand WomanACT’s policy positions and recommendations, please see our written submissions and statements below.
WomanACT Written Submission to the Toronto Police Service Board
How New Laws & Regulations are Created in The Province of Ontario
Issue Brief: Gender-Based Violence Service Provision and Access in Times of Crisis
Issue Brief: Information sharing and intimate partner violence in Canada
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: What we heard
Creating a Gender Equity Strategy and Gender Equality Office for Toronto
Ontario’s Social Assistance Programs: A Violence Against Women Perspective
Policy Impacts on Violence Against Women in Canada: A Review of Literature on Selected Policies
VAW Sector Representatives Recommendations: Income Security – A Roadmap for Change
Gender Housing Justice – Read Written Testimony
Support other community-based election campaigns
- #VotetoEngGBV campaign created by a dedicated coalition of anti-gender-based violence advocates and survivors who have united to urge all political candidates in the federal election to commit to ending GBV – www.votetoendgbv.com
- Social Planning Toronto – 2025 Federal Election Fact Sheets & Resources
- Action Ontarienne campaign resources – Élections Canada 2025
- Vote with Pride – Vote with Pride – Egale Canada
- VOTE – ApathyIsBoring
- Time to Vote – The Neighbourhood Group Community Services
- WomenVote – Ontario Federation of Labour
- Reclaiming Our Vote – Battered Women’s Support Services
- Demand Better
- The 519 Why We Vote – Why We Vote
Throughout Canadian history, Black women have faced slavery, discrimination in healthcare, segregation in education, and workplace inequities. Despite these challenges, Black communities have continuously resisted oppression, advocating for justice, dignity, and equality through collective action. However, systemic white supremacy persists, reinforcing structural violence and gendered racism against Black women and girls.
This publication builds on the notable sacrifices and tireless fight for equality led by researchers, activists, and community leaders who have long advocated for social justice and equity. Their collective and unwavering dedication continues to drive the dismantling of systemic barriers and actively challenge the bias and discrimination faced by Black women.
We all deserve an Ontario government that is committed to ending gender-based violence.
This campaign was created by a dedicated coalition of anti-gender-based violence advocates and survivors who have united to urge all political candidates in the Ontario election to commit to ending GBV.
Ontario is having a snap election on February 27th, 2025. Women, girls, and gender-diverse people across Ontario—especially Indigenous, Black, trans, Two-Spirit, non-binary individuals, immigrant, refugee, and non-status women, and women with disabilities—are facing heightened risks of violence.
Learn more by visiting: www.votetoendgbv.com
Call to Action:
We urge all provincial political parties to commit to ending gender-based violence through increased investment, coordinated strategy, and systemic change. This election, let’s urge all political candidates to:
- Declare intimate partner violence an epidemic to acknowledge the public health and safety crisis.
- Establish an independent accountability mechanism to advance community-led long-term planning efforts to address and eradicate gender-based violence and to ensure leadership and accountability across parties and election cycles.
- Fund and sustain the solutions required to respond to and prevent gender-based violence.
Policy Recommendations
For policymakers and community members seeking to understand WomanACT’s policy positions and recommendations, please see our written submissions and statements below.
WomanACT Written Submission to the Toronto Police Service Board
How New Laws & Regulations are Created in The Province of Ontario
Issue Brief: Gender-Based Violence Service Provision and Access in Times of Crisis
Issue Brief: Information sharing and intimate partner violence in Canada
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: What we heard
Creating a Gender Equity Strategy and Gender Equality Office for Toronto
Ontario’s Social Assistance Programs: A Violence Against Women Perspective
Policy Impacts on Violence Against Women in Canada: A Review of Literature on Selected Policies
VAW Sector Representatives Recommendations: Income Security – A Roadmap for Change
Policies Matter: Addressing Violence Against Women Through Reflection, Knowledge and Action
The diverse identities within Latin American communities in Canada stem from a colonial history that erased their complexities and reinforced racial and gender inequalities—practices that persist today. This report offers a glimpse into the historical forces shaping Latina women’s experiences, encouraging reflection on how neoliberal policies both homogenize and divide communities, ultimately maintaining systems of control and inequality.
This work builds on the tireless efforts of researchers, activists, and community leaders who have long been advocating for justice and equity. Their contributions remain central to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by Latina women.
Advancing Equality: Addressing Workplace Harassment through Policy Change in the STEM Sector is an initiative aimed at raising awareness and driving collective action to tackle systemic challenges faced by women in STEM across Ontario. Women in STEM face persistent barriers, including gender bias, discrimination, and sexual harassment, which hinder their success and career progression. This project emphasizes cross-sector collaboration, bringing together industry leaders, survivor advocates, and gender equity experts to conduct research and co-develop impactful, evidence-based solutions. By fostering partnerships across diverse systems, the initiative seeks to create safer, more inclusive workplaces for women.
This project has been funded through Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program
It can be challenging to talk about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) or family violence. Knowing how to respond or start a conversation can make a difference. WomanACT’s C.A.R.E © model provides practical steps to approach these conversations with compassion.
If you or someone you know is at risk, learn how to identify signs of abuse and reach out to local helplines for confidential help and resources. Together, we can support survivors this holiday season, and every day
For more information or to get involved, please contact: info@womanact.ca
On November 12th, 2024, Harmy Mendoza, the Executive Director of Woman ACT, spoke at the Toronto Police Service Board Meeting about the increasing incidents of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Family Violence in Toronto. In alignment with the Toronto Police Service’s recognition and acknowledgment of IPV, coupled with the ongoing community advocacy for Bill 173 – the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, it is essential to address the rise of intimate partner violence through a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach. This approach should prioritize survivor-centered, trauma-informed practices.
This submission to the Toronto Service Police Board includes several key recommendations, including strengthening coordination across various systems, comprehensive data collection, and building an integrated multi-sector approach. These efforts aim to better prevent, respond to, and support survivors of intimate partner violence.
We all deserve an Ontario government that is committed to ending gender-based violence.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an epidemic in Ontario. We are at a crucial point in getting the Ontario government to pass Bill 173, Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act. Passing this Bill would formally recognize IPV as an epidemic in Ontario – acknowledging the widespread and lasting harm that IPV has on survivors, children, family members and communities in general.
The context of this epidemic is well documented and consistently shared by survivors and the organizations who support them (WomanACT, 2024). Given the extensive and lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of communities, addressing violence as a public health issue is widely regarded as a best practice (World Health Organization, 2016).
We need your help!
WomanACT is launching a community mobilization campaign to amplify the voices of survivors and community members. This is your opportunity to let your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) know how IPV has impacted you and your family or community.
Use our template to write your own letter or email to your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP). This is your chance to share your or your community’s experience of IPV and why addressing IPV is important to you.
Download the email instructions and template to send to your MPP today!
For more information, please contact: Aakanksha Mathur, Manager of Public Policy, Advocacy and Communications at amathur@womanact.ca
Read our endorsed resource package “The Current State of Intimate Partner Violence in Ontario”
Read our Written Submission for the Study on Intimate Partner Violence – Standing Committee on Justice Policy
Economic and financial abuse impacts every part of a survivor’s life, causing stress, anxiety, depression, and a loss of self-esteem. It often leads to poverty, housing instability, and limited career opportunities. The social impacts can include feeling isolated and becoming financially dependent on their partner/spouse. Legal and financial consequences include coerced debt and legal vulnerabilities.
This visual report outlines the social impacts of financial and economic abuse, and real-life examples of survivor experiences.