November 25th is Interntional Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children. DEFINITION:
Interpersonal violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately. It is the types of abuse that women, girls, Two Spirit, transgender and non-binary people are at highest risk of experiencing. Women and gender diverse people are at high risk of gender based violence due to the additional discrimination and barriers they face. This includes women with disabilities, Indigenous women, racialized women, transgender, non-binary people, women who are homeless, or under-housed. It can happen in romantic relationships, families, at work, and between friends and acquaintances or strangers.

THE IMPACT OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE IN CANADA
It cost lives: In 2022, 184 women and girls were violently killed, primarily by men. One woman or girl is killed every 48 hours in Canada (Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, 2022).
• The Toll: On those who are harmed is significant. It is a source of vicarious trauma. Children who witness violence in the home have twice the rate of psychiatric disorders as children from on-violent homes. (Eve Bender, Psychiatric News, 2004).
• The Cost: It costs billions of dollars: 7.5 billion to deal with the aftermath of inter-personal violence alone (Department of Justice, 2009).
• Can carry over into the workplace: Threatening a women’s ability to maintain economic independence. More than half (53%) of study respondents who experienced violence said that at least one type of abusive act happened at or near their workplace. Almost 40% of those who had experienced abuse. said it made it difficult for them to get to work, and 8.5% said that they lost their jobs because of it (Jennifer C.D. MacGregor et al., Safety and Health at Work, 2016).
• Become Abusers themselves. Children may be more likely to use substances themselves, engage in abusive behaviour, or fall victim to abusive behaviour in their own personal relationships, when they grow up in these environments.

The Link Between Substance Abuse & Intimate Partner Violence.
Substance use is a factor in many cases of intimate partner violence – either for the abusive partner, the person being abused, or both. The use of substances by one or both partners substantially increases the risk.

The link between intimate partner violence and substance use is complex. Although many people may feel tempted to blame violent behaviour on drugs or alcohol, substance use is not the cause of intimate relationships, although it is highly correlated. Heavy drinking contributes to perpetration of violence, including increased risks of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. Alcohol use in particular is a risk factor associated with sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from their partner’s drinking behavior and harmful consequences. The effects of alcohol use on male perpetrators may also increase the severity of aggression toward a female partner. In the case of mutual abuse there is more physical damage to women’s bodies in a physical conflict situation. If women are abusing drugs and alcohol they are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence as well as when both partners are abusing drugs and alcohol. The risk of serious injury or death in an abusive relationship increases when an abuser(s) are using drugs or alcohol.
Signs of a Woman Experiencing Violence: Think the abuse is their fault. Hide the abuse from friends and family. Fear for their life or the lives of their children. Believe that the abuser is all-knowing and can see their every movement.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
• Provincial Adult Addictions Information line (toll free) at 1-855-662-6605
• 24-hour province-wide Domestic Violence Crisis Line (toll free) at 1-877-977-0007
• Manitoba Justice Victim Services (toll free) at 1-866-484-2846.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.
You are not responsible for the actions of your partner. With the right supports, you can stop the cycle of abuse.

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