Women
Women
Quick Facts | Concepts, Skills and Terminology | How to Learn More | Find Services |

Quick Facts
- One in five Canadian women is born outside Canada. Statistics Canada
- Immigrant women of all ages more likely to have low income and those aged 25-54 are less likely to be lone parents than Canadian-born women. Statistics Canada
- One in three women globally will experience either intimate partner violence or non-partner violence. World Health Organization, 2013
- 67% of Canadians have known a woman who has experienced physical or sexual abuse in 2012. Canadian Women's Foundation
- Women aged 15 and older were 81% of all victims of police-reported spousal violence in 2010. Statistics Canada
- Reported rates of family and intimate partner violence are lower among immigrant women, particularly newcomer women, compared with Canadian-born women. City of Toronto, 2011
- Reports of violence increase among immigrant women who have lived in Canada for a longer time, however, research suggests that immigrant women are less likely to use health services, legal services, shelters and hotlines compared with Canadian-born women. City of Toronto, 2011
In literacy and education:
- The need for official language training amongst immigrants is higher for women than men. Statistics Canada
- Immigrant women more likely to have completed university than women born in Canada. Statistics Canada
- School attendance higher for newcomer women than Canadian-born women aged 15 and over. Statistics Canada
In employment:
- Immigrant women aged 25 to 54 had higher unemployment rates and lower employment rates than both immigrant men and Canadian-born women. Statistics Canada
- Education-job match rate of internationally trained immigrant women was lower than that of their male counterparts. Statistics Canada
- Employment rate has increased from 2001-2006 but is still lower than for Canadian-born women. Statistics Canada
- Recent immigrant women earned 56 cents for each dollar earned by Canadian-born women. Statistics Canada
- Racialized women immigrants earn only 48.7 cents for every dollar non-racialized male immigrants earn. Wellesley Institute and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2011
Concepts, Skills & Terminology
Discover important concepts, definitions and terms relating to serving immigrant women in the settlement sector.
Concepts
Immigration and Women
- Women at Risk Program - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- Conditional Permanent Residence Status - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- Exceptions from Conditional Permanent Residence for Victims of Abuse or Neglect - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
Settlement Challenges and Women
- Precarious immigration status
- Unequal access to social resources that affect health
- Employment/Labour market integration
- Violence Against Women
- Language and Literacy
- Isolation and Social supports
- Mental health
- Family issues (i.e. multiple roles within the family, changes in the marital relationship)
- Housing
- Poverty
- Discrimination
- Access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health services Springtide Resources, 2013
In addition, refugee women may be more likely than other newcomer women to experience rape, sexual abuse, harassment, and/or the obligation to grant sexual favours in return for food or necessary papers before or during their migration process, which increase their risk for post-traumatic disorders. City of Toronto, 2011
Violence Against Immigrant Women
Some of the tactics used against immigrant women by their intimate partners are set out in the Power and Control Wheel for Immigrant Women - National Centre on Domestic and Sexual Violence (USA).
In the non-status, refugee and immigrant newcomer (NSRIN) community, violence against women may occur in the following ways:
- Abuse within intimate relationships
- State violence, war, rape and political persecution in country of origin
- Human trafficking
- Violence against LGBTQ2S individuals, forced marriage,"corrective rape" and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation in country of origin
- Systemic racism in law enforcement in Canada
- Threats of deportation Springtide Resources, 2013
Multiple barriers for NSRIN women to access services to address violence against women include:
- Lack awareness of their rights in Canada
- Reluctance to engage with law enforcement, government bodies, and community service agencies due to systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, or prejudices against their religion
- Fear of deportation
- Lack of services offered in the person's first language
- Lack of services offered within a particular cultural or religious tradition
- Poverty (e.g. lack of phone, permanent housing)
- Difficulties in navigating multiple systems and services and understanding the legal implications of certain decisions (e.g. disclosure and mandatory reporting Springtide Resources, 2013
Key service needs for newcomer women experiencing intimate partner violence include:
- Prevention strategies to address the determinants of intimate partner violence
- Information and awareness-raising among newcomer community members about available resources
- Access to physical and mental health service information and awareness-raising among health service providers about how to address this issue and make appropriate referrals
- Crisis intervention services, including counselling and shelters
- Supports and services to assist with longer-term independent living for women who choose to permanently leave their partner, including help with housing, income supports, language and job training; and legal support and information about legal rights, Canadian laws, and the law enforcement and justice systems.
- Linguistically and culturally appropriate services, information and support, and for supportive services, regardless of whether women choose to leave a relationship. City of Toronto, 2011
Skills
See topic pages on Settlement and Employment, Settlement and Mental Health and Client Focus pages where relevant.
Useful tools for situations where there is suspected violence against a woman using your settlement agency services:
- Health Effects of Abuse on Women's Health - Middlesex-London Health Unit
- Helping Abused Women - Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF)
- Women Abuse Screening Tool
- Signs of Abuse Identification Checklist - Middlesex-London Health Unit
- Indicators of Women at High Risk - Woman Abuse Council of Toronto
- Infographic: What the Canadian Law Says About Sexual Assault and Consent - METRAC - 2014
- Tools for Assessment and Intervention Principles - Woman Abuse Council of Toronto
- Safety Planning - Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF)
Terminology
Violence Against Women
The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."
Woman Abuse
The Middlesex-London Health Unit defines woman abuse as the intentional and regular use of tactics to establish and maintain power and control over the thoughts, beliefs and behaviour of a woman by creating fear and/or dependency. All forms of abuse result in the woman losing some if not all dignity, control, safety and personal power. Abused women change their behaviour, preferences and/or choices because they fear the consequences or retaliation of their abusive partner.
There are several terms to describe violence against women. Each term understands the issue differently and as such is guided by a different set of values and beliefs. Some of the commonly used terms: domestic violence, domestic assault, family violence, woman abuse, violence against women, are described in Understanding and Responding to Woman Abuse online course by Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI).
How to Learn More
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Featured Resource! Understanding and Responding to Sexual Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities (Self-directed) - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) |
Further your knowledge with practical guides, best practices, projects and research. Find out how to become qualified to work in the field through online or classroom-based training.
Best Practices/Practical Guides
- Abuse is Wrong in Any Language booklet in 12 languages - Justice Canada - 2012
- Claimant Guide - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
- This guide includes information on the refugee claim process, as well as definitions of commonly used terms.
- Criminal Law: Domestic Violence - Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General - 2016
- Do You Know a Woman who is Being Abused? A Legal Rights Handbook - Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) - 2013
- Domestic Violence and the Legal System: An Abused Woman's Guide Through the Family Courts - Three Oaks - 2013
- Facts About Violence Against Women - Canadian Women's Foundation - 2013
- Fact Sheets on Violence Against Women and Girls - Status of Women Canada - 2013
- Family Law Issues for Immigrant, Refugee and Non-Status Women - Family Legal Education for Women (FLEW) - 2014
- Family Violence When a Woman is Sponsored By a Spouse or Partner - Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) - 2014
- Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) - 2012
- Information Guide for Joint Assistance Sponsors - Ontario Region - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) - 2004
- The objective of this information guide is to assist Joint Assistance Sponsors prepare for the arrival of their refugee families.
- Interim Federal Health Program: Summary of Benefits - Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- This website includes basic information about filing a refugee claim, including the steps involved, timelines and additional resources that could help you.
- Non-Status Women In Canada: Fact Sheet - Rights of Non-Status Women Network, Springtide Resources - 2008
- Partners in Settlement of Privately Sponsored Refugees in Ontario - Final Report - Ontario Administration of Settlement and Integration Services (OASIS), Citizenship and Immigration Canada - - 2002
- The final report of a conference for Refugee Sponsors, Immigrant Serving Agencies, and CIC staff.
- Pathways to Gender Justice - A Tool Kit for People Working in the Immigrant and Refugee Serving Sector in Canada - Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR) - 2006
- This tool kit seeks to educate and inform the immigrant and refugee serving sector about gender issues, and encourages agencies and workers to incorporate gender analysis into their work.
- Power and Control Wheel: Immigrant Women - National Centre on Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Surviving the System Handbook: Advice on Using the Legal System if you are a Survivor of Sexual Violence - Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children - 2008
- Women Living with HIV and Intimate Partner Violence: Questions & Answers - HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (HALCO) - 2016
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Featured Resource! Fact Sheet: Moving Women Out of Violence - Canadian Women's Foundation - 2013 |
Courses/Training
- Journey to Promote Mental Health Hong Fook Mental Health Association
- Interactive 2-day training series for settlement service providers, offered across Ontario
- Individual and in-house group training for staff from immigrant service agencies whose positions are funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI)
Online Learning
- After She Leaves: Supporting Women through the Family Court Process Online Training - Springtide Resources - $
- AODA e-learning: Improving Access to Violence Against Women Services for Women with Disabilities - Springtide Resources - 2011
- Conditional Permanent Residence: What a Sponsored Spouse Needs to Know - METRAC Webinar - 2012
- Conflict, Court, or Another Way? Different Ways of Resolving a Family Dispute - METRAC Webinar - 2012
- Family Violence Against Immigrant & Refugee Women: Community Development Strategies (Self-directed) - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
- Family Violence and Refugee and Immigration Law (Self-directed) - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
- Human Trafficking (Recordings of a Webinar Series) - MCIS Language Services - 2016
- Immigration, Women, and Children: Part II – Sample Situations - METRAC Webinar - 2012
- Intersections Among Family, Criminal, and Immigration Law - Luke's Place Support and Resource Centre, and CLEO - 2014
- Journey to Promote Mental Health: A Training Series for Community Workers (Self-directed) – Hong Fook Mental Health Association and Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) - 2008
- Looking for a Family Law Lawyer - METRAC Webinar - 2012
- Love, Sex, Violence and Crime: An overview of Criminal Law and Violence Against Women - Springtide Resources - $
- Masculinity & Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (Recorded webinar) - COSTI Immigrant Services - 2016
- Online Training Initiative to Address Human Trafficking MCIS Language Services - 2014
- The Ontario Criminal Injuries Compensation Board: An Option for Survivors of Violence (Recorded webinar) - METRAC - 2016
- Prevention of Domestic Violence against Immigrant and Refugee Women through Early Intervention (Self-directed) - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
- Staying Home Safely After Abuse: Court Orders That Can Help (Recorded Webinar) - METRAC - 2016
- Supporting Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking (Recorded Webinar) - Victim Justice Network - 2016
- Understanding and Responding to Sexual Violence in Immigrant and Refugee Communities (Self-directed) - Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
Related Projects/Initiatives
- Domestic Violence Family Court Support Workers Program - Ontario Women's Justice Network, METRAC - 2013
- It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment - Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD)
- Microlending for Women in Ontario Program - Ontario Women's Directorate (OWD)
- Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF) public education campaign - Neighbours, Friends and Families (NFF)
- Preventing and Reducing the Trafficking of Women and Girls through Community Planning - The Women’s Support Network (WSN)
- Violence Against Women: Health and Justice for Canadian Muslim Women - Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW)
Further Reading
- This booklet has information on Ontario family law and how it can affect immigrant women, their partners or spouses, and their children. It also deals with issues such as family violence and immigration status - 2009
- Canadian Muslim Women: A Decade of Change- 2001-2011 - Canadian Council of Muslim Women - 2014
- Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW)
- A national, not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the equality of women through research about the diversity of womens experience.
- Canadian Women's Health Network databases: Resources that cover a wide range of topics on women's health and women’s lives, chosen for health consumers, health professionals, researchers, students and activists alike.
- Little Eyes, Little Ears: How Violence Against a Mother Shapes Children as they Grow - Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System - 2007
- It's Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment Progress Report 2015-2016 - Government of Ontario - 2016
- Link Between Housing & Sexual Violence: Infographic - National Sexual Violence Resource Centre (NSVRC) - 2014
- Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 - Statistics Canada - 2006
- National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking - Public Safety Canada - 2012
- Recorded Webinar of New Perspectives on Genes and Violence Prevention - METRAC - 2013
- State of Immigrant and Refugee Women`s Status in Canada 2012: A Joint Report - Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (MTCSALC), Colour of Poverty Campaign (COPC) - 2012
- Strengthening Families for Ontario's Future: 2012 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Ontario - Campaign 2000 - 2013
- Tips for Parents on Resilience for Girls - Canada Women's Foundation - 2013
- Violence Against Women: Global Picture Health Response - World Health Organization - 2013
- Who/If/When to Marry: The Incidence of Forced Marriage in Ontario - South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO) - 2013
- Unprotected, Unrecognized: Canadian Immigration Policy and Violence Against Women, 2008-2013 - Migrant Mothers' Project, University of Toronto - 2014
Find Services
- Aurora House - Shelter for Trafficked or Exploited Immigrants and Refugees - The Mennonite New Life Centre
- Community Health Centres - Association of Community Health Centres
- Community Volunteer Clinic for the Medically Uninsured
- ConnexOntario Health Service Information - ConnexOntario
- Employment Assistance for Women - Women's Working Employment Resource Centre, Woodstock Ontario
- Immigrant Women On the Move (IWOM) - Toronto District School Board
- Legal Aid Ontario Services in Immigration and Refugee Law - Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
- Getting Legal Help for Domestic Violence - Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
- Ontario Women’s Health Network of Services - Ontario Women’s Health Network
- Oshawa Family Law Service Centre - Legal Aid Ontario and St. Luke's Place
- Resettlement Assistance Program service provider organizations - Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
- Services for Women Who Have Experienced Violence - Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
- Settlement, Employment and Support Programs for Women - Working Women Community Centre
- Settlement and Employment Services for Newcomer Women - Newcomer Women's Services Toronto
- Settlement Services Across Ontario - Start Right Program for Newcomers
- Services Near Me - Settlement.Org
- Stop Family Violence - Public Health Agency of Canada