Is Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in Canada?
How we define, understand, and prioritize pervasive social issues in Canadian society, in political presentation, and in talking amongst ourselves.
In March 2023 the Nova Scotia media reported on the final report from the inquiry examining the 2020 mass shootings in Nova Scotia calls for sweeping change to end gender-based violence.
It describes it as an epidemic that, like the COVID-19 pandemic, warrants a "meaningful, whole of society response."
"We agree that recognizing gender-based, intimate partner, and family violence as an epidemic is a valuable first step …needed to prevent and eradicate these forms of violence," wrote the members of the Mass Casualty Commission in their report.
"The word 'epidemic' signifies the scope of the problem as prevailing and sweeping, and also speaks to its toxic and unhealthy character." they added.
The commission made 17 recommendations to address gender-based violence, including "epidemic-level funding" from government for agencies and organizations devoted to intervention. There were calls for systemic change by governments, law enforcement and regulators and an appeal to men to take up "individual and concerted action" to contribute to end gender-based violence.
"Our aim is not to demonize all men as perpetrators of violence," reads the report.
"At the same time, we believe men can take responsibility for ending violence in our communities by disrupting traditional norms and harmful expressions of masculinity.”
And then a year goes by…
Yesterday the Minister of Justice, a person many of us know from his lifetime of public service in our community lost his position because he said… and I want to quote this as completely and carefully as I can from a search of all the available media sources,
"An [epidemic], you're seeing it everywhere all the time, I don't think that's the case," Johns told reporters following a cabinet meeting in downtown Halifax.
The minister said he can respect that service organizations would disagree with him, but added he thinks there are bigger issues than domestic violence.
"We have issues around guns, we have issues around drugs. We have issues. There's a lot of issues. Violence in general," Johns said.
Now, we would think that these quotes, the question they were given in response to, and the entire context of the exchange – who was there, was it a media event, etc, - that took place between reporters and Johns after a cabinet meeting in Halifax would be handled very carefully.
And you would think we could follow the chain of events from the comment to the media we read. How does it all come to our attention packaged the way it is, with quotes from the other political parties and all the various organizations still waiting a year later for their “epidemic level funding”* as called for in last year’s report. But none of that process, that chain of events, is known, at least to me and the other mainstream media readers in Nova Scotia. None of the reporting is reported on.
(*To put that number into perspective Nova Scotia spent $1 Billion dollars on the COVID epidemic and the Canadian government spent an additional $360 Billion dollars on COVID all financed by increases to our long-term public debt. Since these numbers are almost unknowable within our experience of money it's worth saying that that number is approaching the entire annual budget of the country and dividing it by 40 million Canadians would equal about $9,000 per person each year.)
We do know it was the fourth sad anniversary of the tragic mass murder of many people, still fresh in the minds of many Nova Scotia families who, like all of us, are struggling to understand why it happened, what it means, and what should be done. We know that positions and passions are deeply held across a wide spectrum of views.
Is Gender-Based Violence an Epidemic in Canada?
Should we expect that the government will spend billions on the issue?
Or should the Mass Casualty Report's non-binding recommendation be understood as a metaphorical reference to the worst things that have happened in our lived experience? Is it a part of our complex web of justice and social service efforts that must include all social issues such as Gender-based Violence, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Senior's Care, Prison Reform, Drugs, Gun Control Immigration, Homelessness, Rural and Urban Issues - All the issues that are vital for ensuring that all members of society can live with dignity and have equal opportunities. Issues that can also prevent larger social crises in the future.
What Is An Epidemic?
The term "epidemic" as we would all normally understand it, typically refers to a widespread and highly communicable occurrence of an infectious disease within a community at a particular time. By extension, it's used metaphorically to describe any problem that has spread widely and rapidly. When considering gender-based violence (GBV) in this context, it might not fit the strict epidemiological definition, but it could metaphorically be considered an epidemic due to its pervasive nature and significant impact on public health and safety if it is a growing problem spreading widely and rapidly: in incidence, in reporting, or even if the public attitude about it was becoming more accepting, thereby opening up concern for its spread.
Trends in Gender-Based Violence
Looking at the data and statistics:
- Statistics Canada reports show fluctuations in the rates of GBV, including domestic violence and sexual assault. While some data suggest slight declines in reported incidents, underreporting remains a substantial issue, complicating efforts to accurately capture the true scale and severity of GBV.
- Rising Awareness and Reporting: There's an increasing awareness around GBV, influenced by movements like #MeToo, which might lead to more reporting, creating the perception of an increase, even as actual incidence rates might be stable or declining.
Public Sentiment and Societal Acceptance
Societal attitudes towards GBV have evolved significantly:
- Less Acceptable: It is broadly less socially acceptable now than in decades past. Public sentiment has shifted towards a zero-tolerance stance on GBV, influenced by both legal changes and societal shifts.
- Increased Support: There are more resources and growing support systems available today for survivors of GBV than in the past, reflecting a societal shift towards addressing and mitigating this issue.
Defining it as an Epidemic
If we define an "epidemic" of GBV based on its widespread nature and profound impact on individuals and communities, one might argue that GBV could fit this definition, especially considering how deeply it affects public health, safety, and equality. However, using this term might also depend on ongoing changes in prevalence, public perception, and the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce GBV.
Others, especially those responsible for other aspects of the public trust, by necessity, must balance concern, attention, resources, and ultimately funding to areas where the data, the emergency needs, and the current public concerns direct them.
There are not billions to go around. Though our love for all people and our sorrow in tragedy may be unbounded, economics, budgets, and even the depth of our collective social concern for all the issues at hand in the world today and in our community has focus and limits. Decisions. Very difficult decisions must and will be made. Without exception someone will be unhappy with, to put it plainly, how the money is doled out. And that unhappiness will be directed at the humans, unique only in their offer of public service as elected representatives, who, either as a task of leadership or even sometimes just accidentally, say the truth - there’s never enough to go around and difficult choices are made.
While it might be metaphorically appropriate to label GBV as an epidemic due to its severe and widespread impact, the data on whether it is rising or declining is mixed, largely due to variations in reporting and data capture methods. Public sentiment has definitely shifted towards less tolerance and more support for addressing the issue, marking a positive change in how GBV is viewed in contemporary society. But GBV violence exists in a complex and changing world where all the issues of the day intersect. The outrageous calamity of Nova Scotia’s insane gunman rampage is terrible and lasting… but it is not a foundation on which to build government policy or write the story of the future we hope for.
In our understanding of Nova Scotia’s mass murder, and in society in general, we need to learn from these leaders who’ve grown to take a broader view, not shout them down for political, power, or purse purposes.
What Do We Do? Navigating the dialogue around societal issues without falling into traps of outrage, victim culture, and blame can indeed be challenging. The key lies in fostering a discourse based on empathy, evidence, and solutions. Here’s how we might approach this complex terrain with a blend of rigor and humanity:
1. Emphasizing Empathy
Understanding starts with empathy, which involves stepping into the shoes of others to understand their experiences and perspectives. This doesn’t mean agreeing with every point of view but recognizing the humanity and legitimacy of people’s feelings and experiences. For example, when discussing GBV or other rights, trauma, inequity, and violence issue, it's crucial to listen to and validate the experiences of those directly affected without immediately jumping to policy debates or broader political implications.
2. Prioritizing Evidence-Based Discussions
Data and research should be the backbone of any discussion about societal issues. This involves:
- Presenting Accurate Data: Sharing well-researched statistics and studies that provide a clear picture of the issue.
- Correcting Misinformation: Gently correcting misconceptions and misinformation can guide conversations back to reality, with a sense of fairness and proportionality, which is crucial in an era where myths and falsehoods can spread virally.
- Highlighting Effectiveness of Solutions: Discuss what interventions have been shown to work, based on studies and examples from other regions or countries.
3. Encouraging Solution-Oriented Dialogue
Instead of focusing on who’s to blame, encourage discussions on potential solutions and positive actions. This can be achieved by:
- Highlighting Successful Models: Sharing stories and models from communities or countries where similar issues have been addressed effectively can inspire and provide a roadmap for action.
- Engaging Diverse Voices: Include a wide range of perspectives in the conversation, especially those who are directly affected by the issues. This can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the problem and more innovative solutions.
- Promoting Civic Engagement: Encourage individuals to engage in civic activities beyond the ballot box, such as volunteering, participating in local community meetings, or supporting local organizations.
4. De-politicizing the Conversation
While it's nearly impossible to completely remove politics and power from discussions about societal issues, it’s beneficial to:
- Focus on Common Goals: Most people want safety, health, and opportunities for themselves and their communities. Starting conversations from shared goals can reduce polarization.
- Acknowledge Complexity: Rarely is there a single cause or solution to complex social issues. Acknowledging this complexity can prevent the oversimplification of problems and the demonization of government, groups or individuals.
5. Building Continuous Dialogue
Problems aren’t solved in one conversation; continuous dialogue is key. This means:
- Ongoing Education and Awareness: Keeping informed and updating one's understanding as new data and research become available.
- Sustained Engagement: Encouraging long-term commitment to addressing these issues through various means, including education, community involvement, and policy advocacy.
In summary, a balanced approach to discussing societal issues involves empathy, reliance on evidence, focus on solutions, and an effort to depoliticize the discourse as much as possible. It takes engaged citizens who are aware of the bleak calculus of politics and power, even in the smallest of communities. A certain measure of courage in the private citizen is necessary to overcome the fear of speaking out in an age when anyone can be cut down for saying a contra-minded opinion or choosing the wrong word. By emphasizing these aspects, we can create a more constructive and less divisive conversation that aims not just to argue, but to understand and solve.
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