Family and intimate partner violence is everyone’s concern as it threatens the basic right
to live free of violence
BRAMPTON, ON (November 24, 2023) – Starting November 25, 2023, on the International
Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and throughout the 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender-Based Violence, Peel Region and partners are encouraging residents to
‘Break The Silence’ and talk about family and intimate partner violence in our community.
Now in its fourth year, the awareness campaign sets out to challenge misconceptions
related to what intimate partner violence can look like and the implications of getting help.
The campaign will be seen on digital platforms across Peel and includes downloadable
materials in different languages.
Peel Region, in collaboration with over 20 community organizations, the City of Brampton,
the City of Mississauga, the Town of Caledon, Peel Regional Police, and Ontario Provincial
Police – Caledon Detachment co-designed this campaign as part of the Family Violence
area of focus in Peel’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan.
In February 2020, Regional Council unanimously passed a motion for the Region and its
partners to shed light on this critical issue and to stand in solidarity with survivors. The ‘Break
The Silence’ campaign is targeted toward survivors, bystanders and the public. Most
recently in June, Peel Regional Council formally declared intimate partner violence and
gender-based violence an epidemic in Peel, calling attention to its growing severity in the
community.
Quick facts
- In 2022, police in Peel responded to nearly 16,000 incidents of family and intimate
partner violence. That’s nearly 43 disputes every day or about 2 every hour. - In Peel, of the charges that were laid in 2022 for intimate partner violence related
incidents, 79% of the victims were women. - Peel Police laid 531 intimate partner violence strangulation charges laid in 2022.
- Peel Police reported that the highest number of 2022 calls for service are family and
intimate partner violence related. - There were 8 family and intimate partner homicides in Peel Region in 2022.
- Between 2016 and 2021, there was a 3.5% increase in the rate of intimate partner
disputes reported to Peel Police.
To help make Peel a safe, healthy, and inclusive community where all can thrive, residents
need to live free from violence. If you or someone you know needs support: - Call Embrave: Agency to End Violence Crisis Line at 1-855-676-8515
- Call Victim Services of Peel at 905-568-1068
- Call or text 211
If it’s an emergency call 911 immediately.
Learn more about family and intimate partner violence and violence against women in
Peel, including common misconceptions and resources for support, by visiting
peelregion.ca/BreakTheSilence.
Quotations
“Peel’s community-designed campaign to address Family and Intimate Partner
Violence recognizes that abuse thrives in isolation and that we must amplify the
voices of survivors to break the silence. We also know that awareness drives demand
for services and supports, especially shelter capacity for women fleeing abuse. So,
we need other levels of government to see that local communities can make
progress in solving persistent challenges, but we need funding to expand capacity
and help all those seeking services.”
Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services, Peel Region
“In this fourth annual Break the Silence campaign we continue to raise awareness, most
recently declaring Intimate Partner Violence and Gender Based Violence an epidemic and
work together with our partners to break down the walls of silence that enables violence
against women. We encourage everyone to recognize the signs of abuse and speak up if they
know someone experiencing abuse; let victims feeling isolated know they are not alone; and
for those experiencing abuse, to seek help. We all have a role to play in ending family and
intimate partner violence, and to make Peel a safe, equitable and connected community for
all.”
Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Brampton Wards 1 and 5
“Gender-based violence has formally been declared an epidemic in Peel Region and
incidents of femicide are higher than they have been in our community this year than they
have been in the last two years. It is critical that we continue to raise awareness about the
prevalence and severity of gender-based violence in Peel region, as well as the resources that
survivors have available to them in our community. It is essential that survivors know that they
do not have to face violence alone, and that there is always someone available to listen and provide support.
Andrine Johnson, CEO, Embrave: Agency to End Violence
Violence against women, in particular intimate partner violence, is a major public health crisis
impacting thousands of women and children in our community. We all share in the
responsibility to speak up about this issue. Our community service providers are available to
speak with anyone looking for support. Intimate partner violence is preventable, and we all
have a role to play.
Sharon Mayne Divine, CEO, Catholic Family Services of Peel Dufferin
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About Peel’s Transition
The Ontario government announced the dissolution of Peel Region and the establishment
of a Transition Board (TB) as part of Bill 112. The Transition Board was appointed to
provide recommendations to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on a range of
restructuring matters related to the dissolution of Peel Region to make Mississauga,
Brampton and Caledon independent municipalities by January 1, 2025.
To learn about the Transition Board, how it will make these recommendations, and to
provide feedback to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, visit Ontario’s Peel
Region Transition Board website.
During our transition, Peel remains committed to providing services to residents and
businesses. For information about our transition, visit Peel’s transition website.
About Peel Region
Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected
Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in
Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel’s services touch the lives of residents every day.
For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on Twitter @regionofpeel and
Instagram @peelregion.ca.