Building Futures, Breaking Chains: YWCA Toronto's Stand Against Intimate Partner Violence
In a city as abundant as Toronto, safety and security should be inherent rights. And yet, instead of safety, dignity, and a safe place to call home, many women and gender diverse individuals find themselves trapped in cycles of abuse, seeking refuge.
YWCA Toronto has long been a source of support and unwavering hope for women, girls, and gender diverse people who have faced intimate partner violence (IPV). Grounded in intersectional feminism, community voices, social justice, collaboration, service excellence, and sustainability, YWCA Toronto is dedicated to improving lives and creating safe, equitable spaces.
FROM CRISIS TO HOPE
The intersection of intimate partner violence and the housing crisis is a complex and deeply interconnected issue. Survivors of intimate partner violence often find themselves forced to leave their homes to escape abuse. Inversely, housing insecurity can act as a barrier to leaving an abusive relationship. This crisis is intensified when survivors lack the financial resources to secure new housing independently—many survivors of intimate partner violence face economic abuse, limiting their ability to find stable housing.
Police-reported cases of IPV have been on the rise—research from Statistics Canada shows that 2021 was the seventh consecutive year of increased cases, and due to the complexity and stigma, IPV is largely underreported.
Additionally, research shows that the increase in violence against women and gender diverse people is not limited to intimate relationships. YWCA Toronto provides a necessary lifeline for these survivors, offering emergency shelters and permanent, affordable housing solutions for women, children, and gender diverse individuals fleeing violence.
“Despite the initial shame and embarrassment, the support of the shelter staff helped me overcome feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” said one YWCA Toronto participant. “Contrary to my preconceptions, the shelter provided a personal room that didn’t resemble the typical image I had in mind. Adjusting took time but conversations with my assigned worker shifted my perspective. I’m grateful for the staff. My son and I truly appreciate the assistance and support received, highlighting that shelters serve not only the less fortunate but anyone who could suddenly face loss.”
A POWERFUL VOICE
As service providers and advocates, YWCA Toronto uses its collective voice to call for systemic changes, pushing for access to safe, affordable, and reliable housing, and increased funding for the gender-based violence (GBV) sector.
YWCA Toronto is not silent on the systemic issues linked to intimate partner violence and the housing crisis. In collaboration with over 100 organizations last fall, in an open letter, the YWCA called for the declaration of intimate partner violence as an epidemic in Ontario.
The letter highlighted the devastating impacts of IPV, especially femicide, and urged the government to take immediate action to address this epidemic of violence, which claims lives and leaves countless survivors in its wake.
With a focus on the urgent need for affordable housing and enhanced support for survivors, the letter also advocated for transparency, accountability, and the creation of an independent IPV Commission. Additionally, YWCA is calling for a provincial roundtable dedicated to ending GBV, comprised of and led by the community, that ensures the transparency and accountability of the government in addressing GBV in all its forms.
By providing shelter, support, and advocacy, YWCA Toronto helps survivors rebuild their lives and actively works towards a society free of gender-based violence and housing insecurity. Their powerful calls for change are a rallying cry, bringing us one step closer to a world free from violence.
Visit ywcatoronto.org to learn more and find out how you can support this life-changing work. You can also find YWCA Toronto on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X @YWCAToronto and @YWCATO.