YOUR PERSPECTIVE: November 25 to December 10 marks 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence
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Every one of us knows someone affected by gender-based violence. Communities across B.C. continue to feel the loss of women, girls, and gender-diverse people who were targeted simply for who they are. Too many people are still trapped in abusive situations and searching for a way out. Gender-based violence happens everywhere — in cities and rural areas, at work, at school, and in the home. The risks are even higher for Indigenous women and girls, racialized people, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities. But together, we can make change.
That’s why our government created Safe and Supported, an action plan built through extensive consultation with Indigenous partners and community leaders. We’ve made major investments — nearly $2 billion — in transition houses and safe homes; secured stable annual funding for sexual-assault programs and assault centres; expanded 24/7 gender-based violence crisis lines; strengthened provincial policing standards for sexual-assault investigations; and launched new prevention programs to help break cycles of violence.
B.C. has led the national push for federal bail and sentencing reforms to ensure stronger consequences for repeat and violent offenders, along with better protection for victims of intimate-partner and gender-based violence. We’re also tackling online harm through the Intimate Images Protection Act, which helps people whose intimate images were stolen or shared without consent get justice without long or costly court processes.
As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence comes to an end, we want to be clear: the work does not stop on December 10. Everyone can take steps to help reduce violence — challenge harmful gender norms, learn the signs of abuse, talk openly about consent, listen to survivors, and support local organizations doing frontline work.
