Commentary, Opinion

My Sister’s Place brings awareness to Intimate Partner Violence

August 27, 2026   ·   0 Comments

What is IPV? IPV stands for Intimate Partner Violence, which refers to a range of abusive behaviours that occur in intimate relationships, including current or former spouses and dating partners. It encompasses various forms of harm, such as physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as stalking and harassment. 

IPV is a significant global public health concern, affecting millions of people and resulting in severe health, social, and economic consequences.

Over the past several months, My Sister’s Place and other organizations have been working to have municipalities declare gender based, intimate partner violence an epidemic. Municipalities across Ontario have been asked to join in solidarity in voting Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic. 

This growing campaign hopes to bridge awareness and understanding within the community of the continued increasing amounts of intimate partner violence towards women and girls. 

Each month, there are more women and girls killed at the hands of someone known to them. Gender based violence is the type of abuse that women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ and Indigenous people face. 

The proportion of women killed by a spouse or intimate partner is over eight times greater compared to the proportion of men. 

In 2025, 45 women and girls were killed by intimate partner violence in Ontario. In 2026, the statistics are heading towards another increase in the number of women and girls killed due to violence. 

Simcoe County-wide, women and children continue to live in fear and face an unknown outcome as they experience intimate partner violence. 

Women’s shelters across our region continue to receive increased calls to our crisis lines from women who are in desperate need of help.  

At My Sister’s Place alone, we receive over 1,400 calls to our crisis line annually and are stretched to keep up with the demand for our services. Our shelter is consistently struggling to house the many women and children who need to leave their abusers in south Simcoe County. 

Many municipalities have taken the stand to declare Intimate Partner Violence as an Epidemic. To date, over 110 municipalities across Ontario, including New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury, and Adjala-Tosorontio in our area, have supported and made this declaration.

An epidemic is not just about the spread of disease but is the ongoing impacts of a trend impacting a specific group. 

Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic will raise awareness, reduce stigma, and potentially increase funding for emergency shelters, mental health services, and housing for victims. 

The municipalities that have made this declaration so far have the collective opportunity to inform their communities of the violence women are experiencing, to educate victims that assistance is available, to voice their support and show that they are taking IPV seriously and to collaborate with the many agencies that support victims here in their communities. 

Please join us in thanking Bradford, New Tecumseth and Adjala-Tosorontio for their declarations and support. By working together, we can strengthen our communities and work towards putting an end to Intimate Partner Violence.

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