The Cost of Violence

• Violence against women in Canada is far more prevalent than commonly acknowledged with the vast majority of incidents going unreported. Immigrant women are even less likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to report incidents of violence and face additional barriers to accessing services and support.

• Language and cultural differences can isolate abused immigrant women, making them unable to access help. 

• Some immigrant women might also be stigmatized by their community for speaking out. 

• The often stressful immigration experience can also place further pressure on already unstable relationships that may erupt into violence.

• Immigrant women working in certain occupations, such as domestic live-in caregivers, might be especially vulnerable since immigration status is linked to their employment.  Such workers are also often isolated in private homes, unaware of their legal rights and vulnerable to threats of deportation if they complain about abuse.
  

• Women who are sponsored by a spouse may also fear speaking out against abuse for fear of threatening their immigration status.  

Did You Know?

• 51% of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
  

• 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted. According to Health Canada, the health-related cost of violence against women in Canada is more than $1.5 billion a year. This includes short-term medical and dental treatment for injuries, long-term physical and psychological care, lost time at work and the use of transition homes and crisis centres.
  

• Only 36% of victims of spousal violence and less than 10% of victims of sexual assault reported these crimes to police.
  

• 90% of violent incidents inside the home of newcomer women go unreported.

What is IWC Doing?

• IWC’s Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program (ISAP)  helps to connect women with specialized services in the community. 

• Experienced consultants provide a range of crucial information pertaining to family law, immigration and refugee law, social assistance and more.

• IWC Front Line Staff offer personalized, confidential assistance to each woman and are familiar with other specialized services in the community.  

Further Reading: