Colour of Violence

> Colour of Violence
“Colour of Violence: Race, Gender & Anti-Violence Services”

Colour of Violence

Multi-year research and publicity campaign

2021, 2022

This multi-year community-based research project examines the intersections of race and gender for Black, Indigenous, migrant/refugee, racialized women and gender diverse people experiencing gender-based violence in British Columbia.

Placing racialized survivors at the center of anti-violence work, Colour of Violence sought to better understand and raise awareness on the experiences of Indigenous, Black, newcomer immigrant/refugee, and racialized survivors accessing gender-based violence services in British Columbia (B.C).

BWSS conducted surveys with over 100 survivors, focus groups with anti-violence workers of colour, and a held a series of webinars and in-person public events.

BWSS colour of violence project explores systemic responses gender based violence
Save the date and join Battered Women’s Support Services for a webinar
Youth Survivors and Dating Violence: Let’s all Recognize the Signs
Colour of Violence 2022 online event
Colour of Violence 2022 in-person community event

Campaign Impact

The campaign received outstanding media coverage and shares through social media

Campaign Outcomes

9

Campaign shared widely on social media

9

We had 200 attendees at our 2021 webinar and over 600 attendees at our 2022 webinar.

9

30 people attended our 2021 gathering and our 2022 in-person gathering had 100 attendees.

9

Increased awareness about the experiences of Indigenous, Black, newcomer immigrant/refugee, and racialized survivors accessing gender-based violence services in British Columbia (B.C).

9

Report, toolkit, and flipbook show how racialized survivors are not only subject to higher probabilities of gender-based violence, but also face structural barriers in accessing safety and support from violence.

Launching “Colour of Violence: Race, Gender & Anti-Violence Services”

Free from violence

> Free from violence
It takes everything we've got to be free from violence

Free from violence

Public awareness campaign

2021

In 2021 for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-based Violence we shared this information—Let’s all Recognize the Signs.

The campaign taught the public how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence, how to help, and ways to safely check in with someone in an abusive relationship—such as a family member, a co-worker, a neighbour, or member of our community.

After over 40 years of listening firsthand and assisting victims and survivors, we know how intimate partner violence, sexualized violence, and emotional abuse happens routinely within the privacy of their home—hidden from public view.

We called on everyone to collectively make sure that community based services such as BWSS are available to assist survivors of violence because they tell us that they feel safer going to anti-violence organizations rather than calling authorities including the police.

The campaign also provided resources including interactive, personalised safety planning tools, a toolkit called “How do I help my friend?”, and invited survivors, victims, and allies to share what signs they look for.

How can I help my friend? PDF resource
Signal for help, step 1
Signal for help, step 2
Signal for help, step 3

Campaign Impact

The campaign received outstanding media coverage and shares through social media

This campaign was featured in these media outlets

As seen in the Vancouver Courier
As seen in News1130

Campaign Outcomes

9

Campaign was shared widely on social media

9

Increased awareness about how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence, how to help, and ways to safely check in with someone in an abusive relationship

9

Increased access to physical and digital resources and safety planning tools for victims and survivors.

Thank you

Frontline 24/7

> Frontline 24/7

On the Frontline 24/7

Video/Digital & Social Media

2021

2021 has been one of the most deadly years for women and girls. With social isolation and limited access to services, abusive partners have more power than ever. Technology is being misused to become another tool for abusive partners to exert control. Technology has also helped front line workers and volunteers respond requests for support through Crisis Lines, phone call, email, and text messages.

For Prevention of Violence Against Women Week April 11-17 2021, we created this PSA to raise awareness and share best practices for online safety.

BWSS on the frontline 24/7 campaign
BWSS on the frontline 24/7 campaign

Campaign Impact

Campaign Outcomes

9
Video received 10,288+ views on YouTube
9
2,300+ people reached on Facebook
9
Increased awareness around Cyber Violence, technology, and safety planning in digital spaces.
BWSS on the frontline 24/7 campaign

Timeline

> Timeline

This timeline is a lifeline

Video/Digital & Social Media

2020

As COVID-19 continued to strain the health system, rising cases of domestic violence put women and their children in immediate danger. The UN reported that critical services to support women such as shelters, helplines, and support centres reached capacity.

We created this public service announcement (PSA) to highlight the COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic on November 25 to mark the first day of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

BWSS COVID campaign
BWSS COVID PSA campaign still

Campaign Impact

The campaign received outstanding media coverage and shares through social media

This campaign was featured in these media outlets

Campaign Outcomes

9
Video reached over 386,500 people on Facebook
9
Video received 20,637+ views on YouTube
9
Featured by over 4 local and 2 national media outlet
9
Increased awareness about the COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic of the alarming increase in violence against women.
BWSS timeline campaign

Peephole

> Peephole

Peephole

Interactive large-scale transit ad

2018

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2018, we worked with a team of creatives to design an interactive transit ad that puts the viewer in the shoes of a person experiencing violence by their intimate partner.

Initially, the ad appears to be a unexceptional apartment door, but when the viewer looks through the peephole, they see an angry man in the hallway, banging on the door and trying to get in.

The viewer is invited to share a small part of what a victim of domestic violence experiences.

BWSS transit shelter ad 2018
The ad appeared at a transit stop in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The realistic effect was created by suspending a high-res screen behind the peephole, and installing a speaker at the precise point on the door where the man is knocking.
BWSS PSA International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2018

Campaign Impact

The campaign received outstanding media coverage and shares through social media

This campaign was featured in these media outlets

Campaign Outcomes

9
Video received 968,010+ views on YouTube
9
Featured by over 7 local and 1 national media outlet
9

Campaign reached over 104,000 viewers on Facebook

9
Increased awareness around barriers to fleeing violence
BWSS PSA International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2018