The document discusses domestic violence against women in Toronto. It provides definitions of domestic violence from the UN and notes it can include physical, sexual, emotional or psychological harm. Gender inequality is cited as a core factor. The YWCA in Toronto supports women and children experiencing domestic violence through emergency shelter, housing, counseling and advocacy. The authors interviewed a YWCA social worker and volunteered at the women's shelter to learn about their services and support for domestic violence victims.
2. Advocacy Statement
As early childhood educators we understand that domestic
violence against women is a cause of concern in our society which
shatters the peace not only of the victim, but also children who
often are witnesses of abuse, this leaves them emotionally
disturbed, hence, it is necessary to have stringent laws that punish
the perpetrator for the abusive treatment of the women in the
household and bring about changes in the society where the living
conditions of women within their households improve.
3. Research Based on Advocacy
The United Nations defines violence against women as: “Any act of
gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical,
sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats
of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life.”(www.canadianwomen.org)
Domestic violence against women can include physical, sexual,
emotional, financial, spiritual and also criminal harassment or stalking.
The main cause of domestic violence against women is based on the
belief that the male member is more superior, important and correct
than the female partner; this poses feelings of inequality which leads to
humiliation, harassment and abuse in various forms.
4. *Gender inequality is the core factor of violence against women. It is
visible in various areas in the society and this in turn affects the
relationship within households.
* Domestic violence against women happens in all cultural, religious
and racial communities
* Women often stay with the partner for the sake of the children or
the sake of the family bond.
* Financial instability forces women to stay with the partner.
Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence
5. Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence
* Women’s role in the society also plays a role in women’s
abusive treatment within households
* Aborginal women (First Nations, Inuit and Metis) are more
than eight times more likely to face abusive treatment
* 66% of women under the age of twenty- four are more likely to
be sexually assaulted
* 60 % of women with disabilities experience some form of
violence.
6. Impact of Domestic violence on Children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryLBCu097ns
Children are most vulnerable to domestic
violence done on their mothers.
7. Role of YWCA in supporting women
“YWCA Toronto is dedicated to improving the lives of women and
girls. We help women and girls flee violence, secure housing, find
jobs, establish their voices, enhance skills and develop confidence.
We offer a range of housing options, employment and training
programs, community support programs, girls' programs and family
programs; we also engage in systemic advocacy.
As part of a national and international movement, the YWCA is a
turning point in the lives of 25 million women and girls world wide.
We welcome women of all faiths, sexual orientations, races,
cultural affiliations and creeds.
YWCA Toronto is funded by the United Way of Greater Toronto,
the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario the Government of
Canada, as well as many corporate sponsors, foundations and
individual donors.”
https://www.ywcatoronto.org/
8. “YWCA Toronto offers girls and young women a safe and fun space to develop
leadership skills and try new things.
YWCA Toronto helps women find jobs. We help women improve their skills and
unlock their potential.
YWCA Toronto provides emergency shelter and permanent housing to women and
their children.
YWCA offers support groups for women who have experienced violence and are
coping with mental health challenges.” https://www.ywcatoronto.org/
Role of YWCA in supporting women
9. Our interview with the Social worker of YWCA
We learnt about the role of YWCA in supporting women and
children who are victims of Domestic Violence.
10. Raising Awareness
We asked the students and instructor to write down a
slogan or phrase related to their views on the topic.
11. Action taken to support the cause:
Volunteer work at YWCA, shelter on April 11,2013
Location: Dawes Road
Spadina
Duties:
• sorting, labelling and arranging items required for the
basic needs of mothers and children under the care of
the shelter.
• interacting with the children and providing assistance in
the after school activities.
13. Thank you letter to YWCA
Dear Ms. Pari,
This is to express our sincere thanks to you for providing us with a lot of
resourceful information on the functioning of YWCA in supporting the women
and children of Toronto; this information has helped us a lot in our advocacy
research project. We also thank you for arranging volunteering opportunities
for the four of us in the Women's Shelter, it has really supported our project
criteria.
We hope to further serve the cause in a fruitful way.
Thanking you
Sincerely,
Iram, Sayeda, Sudeshna, Sunanda
15. Questions and Suggestions
1. Is it because of multicultarism that domestic violence is at a high rate in Toronto?
1. How does domestic violence effect you as an individual?
3. Have you ever advocate or witnessed for this cause?