The Story of the BWSS Logo: A Human Rights Day Reflection

On Human Rights Day, the Battered Women’s Support Services logo—a design of three dots, one boldly coloured in—stands as a powerful symbol of both crisis and hope. At its core, it represents the staggering reality that 1 in 3 women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. But this logo is more than a statistic. Its bold simplicity and deliberate design serve as a universal call to action, much like the unmistakable clarity of a stop sign, urging us to end violence against women with urgency and conviction.

The three dots represent women as part of a collective, united in solidarity. The single-coloured dot highlights the millions of women who experience violence, grounding the statistic in human reality. Yet, like a stop sign, the coloured dot is also a declaration: “The Violence Stops Here.” It demands immediate attention and action, calling on all of us to confront the systems and attitudes that perpetuate harm, to stop excusing abuse, to stop blaming the victims and to hold accountable those who do harm. The remaining uncoloured dots reflect a shared responsibility, emphasizing that the fight against gender-based violence is one we must all take part in… and yet since 2019, violence against women and gender-based violence is escalating.

BWSS embodies this powerful message in our mission. Through crisis intervention, advocacy, education, and systemic reform, the organization transforms the meaning behind the logo into action. It’s not just a symbol of the urgent need for change but also a beacon of hope—hope that the one coloured dot can someday be eliminated. By challenging harmful norms, supporting survivors, and advocating for equity and justice, BWSS is working toward a future where all three dots stand unmarked, united in safety and equity. Because Safety changes everything.

This Human Rights Day, the BWSS logo serves as a universal signal: a stop sign against violence and a rallying cry for justice. In Canada, where 2.6 million women and girls face gender-based violence, and in British Columbia, where intimate partner violence accounts for a quarter of all reported violent crimes, the need for action has never been more urgent. Gender-based violence is preventable—not inevitable— and Human Rights Day reminds us that change is possible when we invest in safety, equity, and justice for all. Together, we are building a future where every person lives free from fear and harm.

Make a gift on Human Rights Day to honour your commitment to ending violence against women. Together, we can ensure that safety changes everything.