You Are Not Alone

When you’re in the midst of a situation that involves abuse, discrimination or violence of any kind, it is understandable to feel as though you are alone.

You are not alone. You are never alone. Below are various statistics related to abuse and violence at a provincial and national level.

From University of Victoria’s Sexual Assault Centre:

In a study of imprisoned rapists, 60-80% had been molested as children.

80% of prostitutes and juvenile delinquents were sexually abused as children.

1 in 3 females and 1 in 6 males in Canada experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.

Woman with grey hair and black sweater puts arm around husband in blue sweater, as they walk across the street.

From Public Health Agency of Canada (2016):

More than one quarter (26%) of reported crime resulted from family violence. Almost 67% of family violence victims were women and girls.

79% of police reported intimate partner violence is against women.

In 2014, fewer than one in five (19%) who had been abused by their spouse reported abuse to police.

Compared to men, women who experience spousal violence are twice as likely to report being sexually assaulted, beaten, choked or threatened with a gun or a knife.

Nearly 60% of Indigenous women who reported spousal abuse also reported being physically injured as a result of it, versus 41% of non-Indigenous women.

Half of the Indigenous women experiencing violence reported the most severe forms of violence: being sexually assaulted, beaten, choked, or threatened with a gun or a knife.

Women who self-identified as lesbian or bisexual reported significantly higher rates of violence by a partner than heterosexual women (11% vs. 3%).

According to police-reported data in 2016, women aged 15-24 present the highest rates of dating violence.

Nearly 4% of victims of family violence were 65 years or older. 34% of older adults were victimized by a family member.

Violence Prevention Avalon East, NL: A red head leaning on the shoulder of a short-haired brunette, in front of a grey wall.

From Darkness to Light:

90% of child sexual abuse survivors know their abusers.

70-80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use.

One study showed that among male survivors, 50% have suicidal thoughts and more than 20% attempt suicide.

Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents.

More than 60% of teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of molestation, rape or attempted rape.

Both males and females who have been sexually abused are more likely to engage in prostitution.

Sexually abused children who keep the abuse a secret or who “tell” and are not believed are at greater risk for psychological, emotional, social, and physical problems, often lasting into adulthood.

Only 4-8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated.

Violence Prevention Avalon East, NL: Dark silhouette of a young woman holding an umbrella over a young child, outside with impending rain clouds.

Miscellaneous Sources:

Up to 90% of people with addictions were sexually abused as children. (Source: The GATS Program)

Incarceration of criminals was projected to cost Canadian tax payers and government $3.89 billion in 2008/09. (Source: Public Safety Canada)

Homelessness costs Canadian tax payers and government roughly $4.5 to 6 billion per year. (Source: The Sheldon Chumir Foundation)

49% of homelessness women were sexually abused as children. (Source: Canadian Mental Health Association)