DAWN Canada is currently in year two of a three-year project that aims to address systemic violence against women with disabilities and Deaf women.

Although there are laws prohibiting violence against women, and legislation prohibiting systemic discrimination, women with disabilities and Deaf women experience rates of violence nearly three times higher than comparable non-disabled women. They are the largest, poorest minority group in Canada with the highest rates of physical, systemic, financial, psychological and interpersonal/family violence.

Through previous initiatives from DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada, in partnership with Status of Women Canada, we found a need to address the alarming rates of secondary systemic violence experienced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. This revictimization is the result of gaps in service provision from Police, Victim Services, and the Violence Against Women sector at the Provincial/Territorial Level.

Legislation, Policy and Service Responses to Violence Against Women with Disabilities and Deaf Women in Canada moves us beyond theory into the practical realm by encouraging development of policies, programs, and services in the Police, Victim Services, and VAW sector to meet the specific needs of women with disabilities and Deaf women.

This pan-Canadian project is focused in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia and is funded by Status of Women Canada.

For more information, please contact Karine Myrgianie Jean-François: projects@dawncanada.net or 514-396-0009 Ext. 2506

More Than A Footnote Infographic (PDF)

Canada must respect its human rights and treaty obligations to women & girls with disabilities (PDF)