'We see you, we support you': Richmond Hill calls for action on gender-based violence

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 10, 2023

Richmond Hill council unanimously passed a motion to declare gender-based violence and/or intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.

“The first step in solving this problem, is naming it,” said Mayor David West. “This declaration recognizes the serious problem we have here in Canada, where half of all women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence.

“Making this declaration sends a message to our neighbours, family and friends who have experienced gender-based violence: we see you, and we support you.”

Richmond Hill joins 42 municipalities and regions in calling on Ontario to make the same declaration, in the hope of creating legislation that targets family violence and provides more funding to municipalities, regions and their emergency and social services to help address the issue.

As of Aug. 18, the following municipalities and regions, including OBCM (Ontario Big City Mayors) and MARCO (Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario) members, that have declared gender-based violence and/or intimate partner violence an epidemic are: Ajax, Brampton, Burlington, Clarington, Hamilton, London, Oakville, Ottawa, Pickering, Whitby, Toronto and Windsor, along with Peel, Durham and Halton Regions, as well as Lanark County, Essex County and Renfrew County, across Ontario.