On November 12, 2024, our Executive Director spoke truth to power at the Toronto Police Services Board meeting on the rising rates of Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence in our city. Marissa highlighted our recommendation for a TPS-specific action plan to end gender-based violence which would be created with community stakeholders at the table and be embedded into all aspects of TPS’s work. She shared a few examples of specific initiatives that might fall under this plan, as well as the need for TPS to understand Intimate Partner Violence as a systemic, social issue, rather than one of crime – which also means understanding the drivers of violence against women, including those that thrive within TPS itself.
Our deputation to the Board was among others from our amazing colleagues at Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, WomanACT, and YWCA Toronto. As a result of our collective efforts, a motion put forward by Toronto City Councillor Lily Cheng was passed to begin examining a meaningful pathway forward with Toronto Police Service and the GBV Sector.
THIS is exactly what good advocacy does. It changes hearts and minds, shapes policy, and, in time, changes the lives of countless community members. We are grateful to do this work alongside so many colleagues who truly care and we look forward to real change soon.
“Intimate Partner Violence has been declared an epidemic in Toronto. Thus, TPS must drastically shift the way it ‘sees’ it, moving past acknowledgement to truly understanding this human rights abuse.”