News release: November 25, 2020
Region of Peel and community partners raise awareness for family and intimate partner violence
Family and intimate partner violence can happen to anyone and it threatens everyone’s basic right to live free of violence.
Brampton, ON. (November 25, 2020) – To commemorate today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Region of Peel and its partners have launched a public awareness campaign to raise visibility and help identify and reduce cases of Family and Intimate Partner Violence (FIPV) in the community. The Region’s partners include the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga, Town of Caledon, Peel Regional Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and more than 10 community organizations.
Recognizing the need to raise awareness and to stand in solidarity with survivors, Regional Council unanimously passed a motion in February 2020, for the Region and partners to shed light on this critical issue. Working together to coordinate, collaborate and problem-solve on a shared direction is an important step in achieving meaningful, sustained, long-term change for the well-being of Peel residents.
FIPV is any type of controlling or threatening behaviour, physical or sexual violence or abuse between intimate partners or family members[i]. In 2019, police in Peel responded to more than 19,000 incidents of domestic violence. On average, that’s 50 disputes every day or two each hour. These numbers are just what gets reported; most incidents are not reported.
Peel families and youth struggle to thrive due to family violence, mental health and addictions issues and systemic discrimination. Last month, Regional Council adopted Peel's Community Safety and Well-being Plan (CSWB). Family violence has been identified as a focus area of the plan.
To help make Peel a safe, healthy and inclusive community for all to thrive in, citizens need to live free from violence. Residents who need support, or know someone who does, can confidentially call toll-free: 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency, residents are advised to call the police at 9-1-1.
To learn more about Family and Intimate Partner Violence in Peel, including statistics, resources and campaign materials, visit peelregion.ca/ItsNotOkay
"Those experiencing family and intimate partner violence need to know they are not alone. Together with our partners, we’ve created a campaign to promote awareness and enable increased access to services for those experiencing violence and their families. With the increased isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to build awareness of this issue and then continue working together to build a safe, equitable and connected community for all."
– Nancy Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services – Region of Peel
"The prevalence of domestic violence is a tragic reality for far too many in Peel. It has no color and crosses all economic lines. With this public awareness campaign, we are taking the issue of domestic violence out of the shadows. One of our first steps is to raise awareness and face this problem collectively as a community, so victims can feel empowered to seek the support they need. A safe community must fundamentally include women and children feeling safe in the place they live."
– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor
"It is an honour to be part of the development of Peel Region’s first campaign to raise awareness of family and intimate partner violence within our community. So often, people don’t know what to do or how to respond to the things they see in their neighborhood, workplace, community or perhaps in their own home. In this campaign, we join together to learn and respond to the many forms of violence that can occur within families. The abuse of women, children, and the elderly is the responsibility of the whole community. Together, we can create a safe community for everyone."
– Sharon Mayne Devine, Chief Executive Officer – Catholic Family Services Peel-Dufferin
Media contacts
Amy Miles
Manager, Strategic Client Communications
Region of Peel
Tel: 416-209-4317
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.
