Alberta’s government is supporting organizations across the province to target the roots of gender-based violence and prevent it before it begins.
All Albertans should be able to live their lives free from fear or violence. In Alberta, two in three females and one in three males have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. Alberta’s government continues to work to reduce those numbers and improve safety.
Education and social changes are needed to put an end to gender-based violence. To further this education, Alberta’s government is providing $2 million in prevention-focused grants to support programs that target the causes of gender-based violence and encourage collaboration among non-profit organizations. The funding will support 11 organizations in their work to prevent gender-based violence across the province. This is the first time Alberta’s government has provided funding specifically for gender-based violence prevention.
Engagement to support the development of Alberta’s 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence and support survivors is currently underway. More than 60 engagement sessions have taken place in 11 communities across the province with stakeholders and the public, including Indigenous communities and organizations, gender-based violence organizations, subject matter experts and survivors. This strategy will build upon other actions already underway such as the Premier’s Council on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Plus People and the implementation of the Human Trafficking Action Plan.
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to acts of violence committed against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender.
Ending GBV requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and governments. For example, promoting the importance and understanding of consent is crucial in preventing GBV. Consent must be informed, voluntary, enthusiastic, and can be withdrawn at any time.
Globally and locally, GBV remains pervasive and devastating. In Canada, over 11 million people have experienced intimate partner violence at least once. In Alberta, 2 in 3 females and 1 in 3 males have faced sexual violence in their lifetime.
Certain groups in Alberta face an even higher risk of experiencing GBV, including, but not limited to:
Women and girls aged 15 to 24
Indigenous women and girls
Black and racialized women and girls
Immigrant and refugee women and girls
Persons with disabilities
People who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+
Women and girls living in northern, rural, and remote communities
While the engagement on the 10-year strategy continues, Alberta’s government is not waiting to take action. In the last year, Alberta’s government has announced several projects focused on supporting survivors and families, including $10 million in additional funding to women’s shelters, $4 million in annual grants to Indigenous-led prevention projects, almost $4 million to support sexual assault services and $1 million to support sexual assault survivors in rural areas.
Quick facts
The grant recipients for the $2 million prevention grant include:
Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills
Camrose Women’s Shelter Society
Centre for Sexuality Society
Fear is Not Love Society
Radiance Family
Riseup Society Alberta
Safe Horizon
Saffron Centre
The Jessica Martel Foundation
YWCA Banff
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