Gender-Based Violence: Understanding the Impact, Signs, and Path Toward Support
Gender-based violence is a widespread public health and human rights issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities across all backgrounds. While conversations around violence have become more common in recent years, many people still struggle to recognize the different forms gender-based violence can take or may feel unsure about when and how to seek support.
At its core, gender-based violence refers to harmful behaviours directed at someone because of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or perceived gender roles. It can happen to anyone, though women, children, youth, and gender and sexually diverse individuals are disproportionately impacted.
Gender-based violence is not limited to physical violence. It can also include emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, digital, spiritual, or coercive forms of abuse. Often, these experiences occur within intimate partner relationships or family systems, but they can also occur in workplaces, schools, online spaces, and communities.
Some examples of gender-based violence may include:
Controlling or isolating behaviours
Threats, intimidation, or manipulation
Gaslighting or emotional abuse
Physical assault
Sexual violence or coercion
Financial control or restriction
Harassment or stalking
Abuse through technology or social media
Cultural, identity-based, or systemic oppression
One of the most difficult aspects of gender-based violence is that it often develops gradually. Many individuals may question whether what they are experiencing is “serious enough,” especially when there are periods of calm, apologies, or attempts to repair after harm occurs. It is also common for individuals to experience feelings of shame, confusion, fear, self blame, or emotional overwhelm.
The impact of gender-based violence can be significant and long lasting. Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, difficulty trusting others, low self worth, sleep difficulties, emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, or challenges in relationships and parenting. Children and youth exposed to violence can also experience emotional, behavioural, developmental, and relational impacts, even when they are not directly targeted.
It is important to remember that healing looks different for everyone. There is no “right” timeline for recognizing abuse, leaving a harmful situation, processing trauma, or rebuilding a sense of safety. Supportive, trauma informed care can help individuals better understand their experiences, strengthen coping strategies, rebuild self trust, and explore next steps in a way that feels safe and empowering.
If someone you know may be experiencing gender-based violence, some supportive approaches can include:
Listening without judgment
Avoiding pressure or ultimatums
Validating their experience
Respecting their autonomy and readiness
Encouraging connection to safe supports and resources
Checking in consistently and compassionately
For those directly impacted, support can begin with small steps:
Reaching out to a trusted person
Creating a safety plan
Learning about boundaries and healthy relationships
Accessing counselling or community resources
Practicing grounding and self regulation strategies
Reconnecting with supportive relationships and activities
No one deserves to experience violence, coercion, or fear within their relationships or environment.
If you are looking for support, Amanda Dizio has extensive experience supporting individuals impacted by gender-based violence, specifically domestic, intimate partner, and family violence involving women, children, youth, and gender and sexually diverse individuals. Amanda provides a compassionate, trauma informed approach focused on safety, empowerment, healing, and emotional support.
If you would like to learn more or connect for support, you are welcome to reach out to Amanda and book a free 15-minute consultation.
🌱 www.fortitudewellnessjourney.com
📞 705-770-1694