November is Domestic Violence Awareness month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/11/2020 (925 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

November is Domestic Violence Awareness month in Manitoba. According to Statistics Canada, Manitoba has the second-highest rate of police-reported intimate partner violence among Canadian provinces.

Domestic violence is defined as people using abusive behaviour to control or hurt their partners. This can happen between married, separated or divorced people, current or former common-law partners, current or former dating partners and other intimate partners.

In Manitoba, we have many resources available to people experiencing domestic violence. From websites to crisis phone lines and shelters — please know we are here to help.

Resources available include 24-hour crisis and text lines. Call 1-877-977-0007 or text 204-792-5302 or 204-805-6682. Visit www.gov.mb.ca/familyviolence for information and lists of additional resources or locations where you can find help.

There are 10 shelters in various locations throughout the province as well as many other centres and programs for people needing different types of assistance as they navigate an abusive domestic relationship.

During the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) answered more than 16,000 crisis line calls and provided services to more than 3,300 people. The Winnipeg Police receive about 16,000 domestic violence calls every year and they come from all areas of the city. While Canadian data indicates that about 80 per cent of people experiencing intimate partner violence are women, it’s important to note that domestic violence also affects men and non-binary individuals.

If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, it is important to understand ways you can best support or assist them. From helping them access resources, being a part of a safety plan or just listening to them — you can be an important lifeline for a person experiencing domestic violence. The MAWS website highlights a number of reasons why a person may still be in, or has not left, an abusive relationship. Reasons can include isolation, lack of finances, fear of violence or retaliation, shame or low self-confidence or a belief of the need to keep the family together.

We know people and families have been put through many additional stresses this year and the impact of higher tensions could contribute to more domestic violence.

 Research is underway to explore how to provide more or adapted assistance to those experiencing domestic violence during a pandemic. This research will inform Manitoba policy and resources moving forward.

The Manitoba Status of Women Secretariat has hosted round-tables with community organizations to gather information for developing better resources and tools for community members.

In October, the government’s family and violence prevention program also started the process to expand availability of accommodations and supportive programming to help men impacted by domestic violence. We are committed to continuously growing and evolving our supports and services for people experiencing domestic violence.

Learn more at www.gov.mb.ca/familyviolence