We released the results of a new national survey on supporting an end gender-based violence, supporting the needs of survivors of abuse, survivor experiences of disclosing abuse, and the recognition and use of the Signal for Help. Sign up today to be be a Signal for Help Responder and get the tools and training you need to learn how provide judgement-free support to those facing abuse.

Most people believe …

Gender-based violence (GBV) needs to be openly and publicly addressed to end it

92%
  • Everyone has a responsibility to stop GBV (90%)
  • Decisionmakers, community leaders, and workplaces should take proactive steps to address GBV and support survivors (90%)
  • Tools to identify and support those experiencing GBV should be taught in schools (88%)
  • They are empowered to help someone they know experiencing GBV (68%)
  • They can help end GBV overall (59%)

However …

  • 54% are afraid to help someone in public in case they put themselves or others at risk
  • 51% are afraid to help someone in private in case they make the situation worse

And …

  • 46% feel the issue of GBV feels too big to play a role in ending it
  • 24% feel GBV is a personal issue and not a societal problem

  • 23% feel intimate partner violence is none of their business if it doesn’t directly involve them

Reasons people didn’t disclose experiences of abuse:

  • 54% wanted to move on and try not to think about it
  • 35% felt there was no one they could tell
  • 32% felt they would be judged, blamed, or shamed
  • 27% felt they would not be believed
  • 15% felt it would put them at risk of harm
  • 12% were afraid their abuser would find out – 28% for people who are racialized
  • 18% felt they wouldn’t be given the help they needed

One third of those who did not disclose abuse may have disclosed it if they had someone to share it with (34%), were confident they wouldn’t be judged, blamed or shamed (33%), and were confident they would be believed (29%).

When people did disclose their most recent experience of abuse:

  • More than four-fifths were believed (82%) and treated kindly (80%) – 76% and 74% accordingly for people with disabilities
  • 71% did not feel judged, blamed, and/or shamed
  • 67% felt heard and validated – 56% for people with disabilities

But …

  • Only 33% were referred to helpful and relevant support services

And …

  • Despite 86% of people in Canada feeling they are able to support someone experiencing physical abuse, only 66% of those disclosing physical abuse feel supported
  • Despite 85% of people in Canada feeling they are able to support someone experiencing emotional abuse, only 70% of those disclosing emotional abuse feel supported
  • Despite 80% of people in Canada feeling they are able to support someone experiencing sexual abuse, only 63% of those disclosing sexual abuse feel supported
Women aged 18-54 were the most likely group to receive a disclosure of emotional and sexual abuse from a survivor.

The Violence at Home Signal for Help is becoming more recognized:

0%
have seen information about the Signal
0%
have used the Signal or have seen it being used

Survey details: Maru/Matchbox conducted a survey on behalf of The Canadian Women’s Foundation. The survey was conducted from February 4th to February 9th, 2022, among a representative sample of n=1,500 Canadians with an additional sample of n=500 women. The sample was weighted to census proportions on age, gender, and region.

This project was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

Learn More:

Be a Signal for Help Responder
Signal for Help
The Facts about Gender-Based Violence
Out of Violence