Commentary, Opinion
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Women Abuse Prevention Month returns
October 29, 2026 · 0 Comments
In Canada, November is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Women Abuse Prevention Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating for change. It serves as a time to educate the public, reflect, stand together in solidarity and show support to those affected by gender-based violence.
During the month, we ask the community to show their support for those women experiencing violence and abuse and for those who have had the courage to leave by wearing purple. We will be featuring community members wearing purple on our social media platforms throughout the month and in our e-newsletter. If you, your organizations, or staff would like to participate in the Wear Purple Challenge, you can email your pictures to fundraiser@mysistersplace.ca. Help us fill our social media feeds with purple!
Our Wrapped in Courage and purple items can be purchased at the RBC locations in Alliston (4 King St. N), Tottenham (2 Queen St. S) and Bradford (539 Holland St. W). We have two styles of women’s scarves, men’s ties, My Sister’s Place totes and beaded bracelets.
On Nov. 25, we recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was designated in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The date was chosen to commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters who were violently assassinated in 1960. The day pays tribute to them and urges global recognition of gender-based violence.
What is Gender Based Violence? Everyone has the right to live free from violence. However, many people in Canada continue to face violence every day because of their gender, gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender.
This is referred to as gender-based violence (GBV), and it is a violation of human rights. GBV is not limited to physical violence. It can include any word, action, or attempt to degrade, control, humiliate, intimidate, coerce, deprive, threaten, or harm another person. Neglect, discrimination, and harassment can also be forms of GBV.
GBV takes place in public spaces, in workplaces, at home, and online. GBV can have long-lasting and negative health, social and economic effects that span generations, which can lead to cycles of violence and abuse within families. While violence affects all people, it disproportionately affects women and girls.
For more information on GBV, visit canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/gender-based-violence/about-gender-based-violence.html
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is also the start date of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, which goes until Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. This campaign started in 1991 to call out and speak up on gender-based violence, and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.
This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism is “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity.”
The 2026 campaign calls for justice that works for all women and girls – whether at home, at work, in public life, or across digital spaces. Building on the 2025 focus on digital violence, this year’s campaign recognizes that violence online and offline happens on a continuum, with the two often overlapping and reinforcing each other. They require commitment and action on prevention, protection, accountability, and redress.
Our big fundraising campaign for the month of November is our Fall Fling Online Auction. We are so excited to host this auction; it has something for everyone at all price points. Toys, clothing, kitchen wares, various gift baskets and gift cards.
We have a big selection of amazing experiences and entertainment options, and the list goes on. The auction will open for bidding on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 10 a.m. and will run through Monday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m.
We will open the auction site at the beginning of November to the public, so that those interested can have a look at what will be up for bid when the auction goes live. Watch our social media for updates on the auction. Don’t miss out. It will be a great way to get some Christmas shopping done early or maybe something special for yourself, while supporting My Sister’s Place.
This November, watch our social media and website for events we are hosting that you can be a part of: flag raisings, town proclamations, our event for the Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Dec. 6 or take part in our wear purple challenge.
Please take the time to learn, share, and advocate, because awareness is only the first step toward meaningful and lasting change.
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/16-days.html
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/theme
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