The BC Government’s recognition of gender-based violence (GBV) as an epidemic in its recent mandate letters signals an overdue acknowledgment of the pervasive crisis faced by women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. While this recognition is necessary, it is not sufficient. Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) calls for bold and immediate action to address the structural inequalities and entrenched systems that perpetuate this violence.
Gender-Based Violence as an Umbrella Term
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive crisis in British Columbia and across Canada. It claims the lives of women and gender-diverse individuals while leaving countless others to grapple with enduring trauma. Far from being a series of isolated incidents, GBV is a systemic issue rooted in patriarchy, colonialism, and intersecting oppressions. It manifests in various forms—intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and systemic violence against LGBTQ+ individuals and Indigenous women—all of which carry distinct implications. Understanding these different forms is essential to identifying the root causes and advancing meaningful solutions.
The BC Government’s Mandates on Gender-Based Violence
The BC Government has outlined two key mandates aimed at addressing gender-based violence. These mandates provide a foundation for action but must be paired with urgency, accountability, and survivor-centred implementation:
1. Work with partners to address the national epidemic of gender-based violence as it relates to our province, and work with stakeholders to ensure that government programs and initiatives reflect the interests and concerns of people with lived experience.
2. Work with the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and the Attorney General to ensure that we are meeting our targets on delivering accessible transition housing for women fleeing violence, and that the justice system is responsive to the needs of survivors of gender-based violence.
While these mandates represent important commitments, they must lead to tangible changes that prioritize safety, equity, and justice for all survivors.
A Transformative Approach to Ending Gender-Based Violence
BWSS is taking action for a future where systemic barriers are dismantled, and survivors of gender-based violence have the support and resources they need to thrive. The government’s mandates must reflect a deeper commitment to structural change that addresses the root causes of violence. Survivors deserve more than promises—they deserve action.
Here are some of the major key problems and our recommendations on how to address these problems:
Accountability in Public Safety and Justice
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a preventable tragedy that significantly impacts public safety, particularly in urban areas like Metro Vancouver, where diverse communities face unique challenges. IPV continues to claim the lives of women in British Columbia, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action. The staggering statistics on women killed by intimate partners underscore the necessity for systemic changes to address the gaps that perpetuate abuse and protect perpetrators. IPV not only undermines public safety but also imposes a significant economic burden, with an estimated cost of $1 billion annually in healthcare, policing, justice, social services, and lost productivity. Addressing IPV is not just a social issue but a public safety imperative that demands comprehensive intervention to prevent further tragedies.
BWSS is calling on the government to address this public safety crisis through the following actions:
1. Expanded Survivor-Centered Services: Increase capacity to meet rising demand, particularly for survivors who do not report to police.
2. Justice Pathways: Improve enforcement of protection orders and expand legal advocacy to support survivors navigating complex legal systems.
3. Community-Based Prevention and Education: Launch public awareness campaigns, youth education programs, and prevention initiatives to reduce community violence.
4. Accountability for Law Enforcement: Conduct a coroner’s inquest every time a woman is killed after receiving or seeking a protection order.
Safe Place to Live: Housing Subsidies
The current housing system fails to support women leaving abusive relationships, leaving many with no choice but to return to abuse or endure invisible homelessness, such as living in their cars. Today, the escalating housing crisis adds urgency to their work. For women fleeing violence, finding safe, affordable housing is often an impossible task, forcing many to return to unsafe situations or live in precarious conditions. Existing programs have lengthy waitlists, eligibility barriers, and limited second-stage housing options. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent prolonged exposure to violence and homelessness. Stable housing enables women to rebuild their lives, pursue education, secure employment, and break free from the cycle of poverty and violence. Housing is essential for safety, dignity, and freedom, and women fleeing violence deserve more than temporary solutions—they need the security to thrive.
BWSS is advocating for bold action to expand rent subsidies specifically for women and children fleeing violence. This initiative aims to provide a clear pathway from crisis to stability, enabling survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity. The proposal aligns with the province’s commitments to affordability and safety, addressing the urgent housing crisis. With median rents in Metro Vancouver reaching $3,000, targeted support is essential for women to move from victims to survivors. A portable rent subsidy program would help bridge the gap between what women can afford and high market rents, enabling them to live safely and independently.
The BWSS Solution: A Portable Rent Subsidy Model – BWSS proposes a rent subsidy model specifically for women-led households fleeing violence. This model would:
1. Bridge the Rent Gap: Subsidize the difference between market rent and what women can afford.
2. Promote Stability: Provide 3–4 years of support while women pursue education and employment.
3. Ensure Choice and Safety: Empower women to choose housing that meets their needs while ensuring anonymity and independence.
4. Free Up Transitional Housing: Enable smoother transitions along the housing continuum, creating space in shelters and second-stage housing for other women in crisis.
Addressing Economic Uncertainty
Canada sends nearly 75% of its exports to the United States, making disruptions—such as Trump’s threat of 25% tariffs on key Canadian exports—a significant risk to jobs, livelihoods, and overall economic stability. These impacts are especially harmful to women and marginalized communities, as economic downturns often lead to cuts in essential services like shelters, counselling, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programs, which are critical for survivors. Financial stress and job losses, particularly for women in precarious employment, increase the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). The combination of economic instability, nationalist rhetoric, and resource insecurity creates a precarious situation for women and gender-diverse individuals, highlighting the need to prioritize gender equity in Canada’s economic and diplomatic strategies.
BWSS’ Policy and Strategic Recommendations:
1. Diversify Trade Partners: Prioritize full implementation of agreements like CETA and CPTPP.
2. Protect Social Services Funding: Safeguard funding for GBV prevention programs, even during economic downturns.
3. Address Water Security: Classify water as a protected natural resource, not a tradable good, in future agreements.
4. Strengthen Indigenous Consultation: Ensure Indigenous voices are central in decisions about trade, resource extraction, and water governance.
5. Cross-Border Feminist Solidarity: Build coalitions with U.S.-based feminist movements to counter divisive rhetoric.
A Call to Action
To truly address gender-based violence, the BC Government must move beyond recognition and take decisive action. This requires not only the commitment to funding and policy changes but also a shift toward addressing the root causes of violence—patriarchy, colonialism, and intersecting oppressions. BWSS is urging the government to prioritize survivor-centred approaches, ensuring that essential services remain accessible and responsive to the needs of those affected by violence.
The time for change is now. The intersection of economic instability, inadequate housing, and systemic violence against women and gender-diverse individuals demands a comprehensive, multifaceted response. By acting boldly to expand rent subsidies, protect funding for vital services, and prioritize gender equity in all policies, the BC Government with the support of community leaders like BWSS, can take a significant step toward ending gender-based violence and building a more just, equitable society. The safety and well-being of survivors depend on our collective commitment to breaking the cycle of violence and offering meaningful, sustainable support.
You are not alone.
If you or someone you love is in need of support, please contact the Battered Women’s Support Services Crisis Line:
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org