News release: November 25, 2022
Help Peel Region and community partners 'Break The Silence' about violence against women
Violence against women is everyone's problem and isolation makes it worse
Brampton, ON. (November 25, 2022) – Today on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and throughout the next 16 Days of Activism, Peel Region and community partners are encouraging residents to 'Break The Silence', a campaign to help end violence against women by building awareness in our community. Working in collaboration with the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga, the Town of Caledon, Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Caledon Detachment and more than 15 community organizations, the Region launched this campaign as part of Peel's Community Safety and Well-being Plan.
In February 2020, Regional Council unanimously passed a motion for the Region and its partners to shed light on this critical issue and to stand in solidarity with survivors. The ‘Break The Silence’ campaign is targeted toward survivors, bystanders and the general public. This year marks the third year of the campaign.
Quick facts
- A woman is killed every six days in Canada by her intimate partner.
- There were three family and intimate partner homicides in Peel Region in 2021.
- Peel Police reported that the highest number of incidents are family and intimate partner violence related.
- In 2021, police in Peel responded to more than 17,000 incidents of family and intimate partner violence. On average, that’s nearly 45 disputes every day or about two every hour. That’s just what gets reported. Most incidents are not reported.
To help make Peel a safe, healthy, and inclusive community where all can thrive, residents need to live free from violence. Women who need support can confidentially call the Embrave: Agency to End Violence crisis line, 1-855-676-8515, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency, residents are advised to call 911.
To learn more about Violence Against Women in Peel, including statistics, resources and campaign materials, visit peelregion.ca/BreakTheSilence.
As we implement Peel’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan, this campaign highlights the importance of spreading awareness for gender-based violence. We need to empower our survivors, and women experiencing violence need to know they are not alone. This year we had a remarkable number of partners collaborate and join forces to create this powerful campaign and together we are calling on everyone in Peel to break the silence and start talking about violence against women.
Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services, Peel Region
As a woman who is very passionate about pushing gender equity, we must work together with our partners to break down the walls of silence that enable violence against women. We encourage everyone to recognize the signs of abuse and speak up if they know someone experiencing abuse; let victims feeling isolated know they are not alone; and for those experiencing abuse, to seek help. We all have a role to play in ending violence against women and to make Peel a safe, equitable and connected community for all.
Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Brampton Wards 1 and 5
It is important to continue to raise awareness on this issue that adversely impacts the lives of women, two-spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary people and their children in our community. The unfortunate reality is that everyone knows someone who has experienced violence. Talking about Gender-Based Violence is an important step towards letting survivors know they are not alone. If this is you or someone you know, we are here for you, and a phone call away.
Sharon Floyd, CEO, Embrave: Agency to End Violence
Violence against women is a concern for all of us. The impacts of abuse are far reaching and felt by children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunties and uncles. Women who are being abused need all of us to stand with her. Her family needs us to stand with them. Let’s break the silence! Reach out to a woman if you are concerned about her and tell her it's not her fault.
Sharon Mayne Divine, CEO, Catholic Family Services of Peel Dufferin
Media contact
Ann-Marie Koumettou
Communications Specialist
Region of Peel
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
