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Header image of a woman and a child's face. The text reads: "Pervasive and widespread, woman abuse and sexual violence harm women of all ages, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic classes and religions".

Pervasive and widespread, woman abuse and sexual violence harm
women of all ages, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds,
socio-economic classes and religions.

Mobile header containing a woman's face and a child's face. The header contains the following text: "Woman abuse harms women of all ages, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic classes, & religions.

WAWG Press Conference: Declaring Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in Hamilton – July 7th, 2023

On Friday, July 7th, 2023, the Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) will be hosting a press conference. The co-chairs of WAWG, Erin Griver & Jessica Bonilla-Damptey, accompanied by member organizations of WAWG will gather outside of Hamilton City Hall (71 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8P 4Y5) at 10:00am to Declare Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in the City of Hamilton.  The press conference will be held at the monument honouring victims of the Montreal Massacre. 

 

The Woman Abuse Working Group will present its 2022 Snapshot of statistics collected from member organizations supporting calls to declare Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in Hamilton. In 2022, Women’s Shelters received 7,660 calls to their crisis/helplines, the Sexual Assault Centre received 1,973 calls to its crisis support line, 4,498 women could not access shelter due to a shortage of beds and the numbers continue to increase in 2023. In Ontario, 31 municipalities have already declared Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic. 

 

The following are calls from WAWG for City Council: 

 

City of Hamilton/City Council:

 

  1. Declare Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in the City of Hamilton.

  2. Call on the Government of Ontario to formally declare Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic.

  3. Ensure that Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence be integrated into the City of Hamilton’s community safety and well-being plan.

  4. Engage in meaningful consultation with WAWG, as Intimate Partner Violence and Gender-Based Violence stakeholders and experts in the field on a quarterly basis.

  5. Recognize the need for adequate and stable funding for all organizations providing Intimate Partner Violence, Gender Based Violence and Sexual Violence support services. This will require a significant financial investment and commitment to annualized funding. 

  6. Designate funding for transportation for those receiving IPV and GBV-related support services where public transportation is inadequate or unavailable, such as rural areas like Flamborough, Freelton, and others.

 

For questions before the press conference, email WAWG Coordinator, Thea Symonds 

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