Gender-based violence
Connect with support for victims and survivors of gender-based violence and learn about the action we are taking to keep people safe.
Get help
If you are in danger, call 911 or your local police immediately.
If there is no immediate danger, you can connect with free and confidential helplines 24 hours a day.
About gender-based violence
Gender-based violence is any violence that happens because of a person’s gender or gender identity. It often involves situations where there are unequal power dynamics.
It can include different forms of abuse, such as:
- economic
- emotional
- online
- physical
- psychological
- sexual
According to Statistics Canada, women in Canada experience violence twice as often as men. They are also 3.5 times more likely to face intimate partner violence and 5 times more likely than men to be a victim of sexual assault.
Intimate partner violence
Learn about intimate partner violence, who it affects, and how to get help.
Sexual violence
Find out where to get help if you are a victim or survivor of sexual violence, such as sexual assault, abuse or harassment.
Human trafficking
Learn about human trafficking, how to get help, and the work we’re doing to keep people safe.
Help for victims and survivors of violence
- Helplines
- Mental health support
- Legal assistance and advice
- Supports for Indigenous women
- Financial support
- Affordable housing support
- Counselling support for children and youth
- Victim Services Directory
Emergency shelters and treatment centres
Emergency shelters and women’s shelters
Emergency shelters provide security for women and their children fleeing violence and abuse by offering protection, hope and support.
Sexual assault centres
Sexual assault centres provide supports to survivors of sexual assault. Access a range of services at these centres.
Healing lodges and shelters for Indigenous women
Indigenous women and children experiencing violence can access a short-term residence, counselling and other support.
Domestic violence treatment centres
Get hospital-based emergency care for people who have recently experienced sexual and/or domestic violence.
Taking action to end gender-based violence
Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s Strategy in Response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Learn about our government-wide plan to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, children and Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus (2SLGBTQQIA+) people.
Ontario's action plan
In December 2023, Ontario released its four-year action plan to prevent and address gender-based violence. The plan focuses on prevention, addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and supporting the longer-term needs of survivors, their children and families.
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
In November 2023, Ontario announced an agreement with the Government of Canada for $162 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. This builds on Ontario’s existing investments of $1.4 billion over four years to support services that help address and prevent gender-based violence.
These investments will allow the Ontario government to strengthen its focus on prevention, collaboration, and integration across sectors, help address the root causes of gender-based violence and improve longer-term outcomes for survivors and their families.
Read about the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
Hide your internet activity
You can find helpful resources and support online for victims and survivors of gender-based violence. But it’s important to know that your browser saves a record of your internet activity.
If you are concerned that someone is trying to see where you have been online, there are steps you can take to stay safe:
- If possible, use a mobile device or a computer that’s not your own, and use the internet outside your home – for example at a public library, a school, a friend’s home, or your workplace.
- If possible, use your internet browser’s privacy mode. This prevents your browser from saving and storing your internet history.
- Delete cookies and clear your browser history (cache). Websites use cookies to track their visitors and their actions. They do this by storing small bits of information on your computer. Sometimes this means that the site will “remember” you when you visit again. For example, if you enter your name when you go to a website, it may display your name when you visit again.
Learn how to delete cookies from your computer if you are using:
Learn more about the types of browsing data you can delete