B.C. declares gender-based violence an epidemic

Premier David Eby has declared gender-based violence an “epidemic” and is calling on ministers in his cabinet to deliver on the needs of women fleeing violence.

One women’s advocacy group says this recognition is a step in the right direction, but a lot more work needs to be done.

“The declaration will only be as useful to what extent that action follows,” said Angela Marie MacDougall of Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS).

“We don’t want performative gestures; we need to see results.”

BWSS is calling on the government to increase funding to victims’ services, improve enforcement of protection orders, and expand transitional housing.

“We definitely want to see services and resources that meet women where they’re at, and that is along the continuum, from the crisis until stabilization, and there are many services along the way,” MacDougall said.

“And that journey can be a long and complicated one. There are 200 women on average turned away from transition houses every day in B.C. We’re at a precarious time, where more and more women are living in their cars as they flee their abusive partners.”

In the wake of incoming tariff threats on Canadian goods posed by U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump, advocates warn the impending economic impact could trickle down to more violence.

“We know when things get harder economically and if there are job losses, that does shake out in families,” MacDougall said.

“It does end up meaning there’s more violence and precarity in the homes.”

In a statement to The Leader Spirit, the Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity says B.C. has an action plan in place to ensure survivors can access the care and supports they need, and more than 1,000 transition housing units have been completed or are underway as of September 2024.