Statistics

One in four (1 in 4) Canadian women suffer some form of abuse at the hands of their partners.
Women are at greatest risk of increased violence – or murder – at the hands of their partner during the time just before or after they leave an abusive relationship.
Spousal homicide accounts for 15% of all homicides in Canada. A woman is nine times more likely to be murdered by an intimate partner than by a stranger. *
Domestic abuse remains an immensely under-reported crime: it is estimated that just 25% of domestic violence incidents are reported.

Approximately 40% of intimate partner violence incidents begin during a woman’s first pregnancy.
Children are present and witness the abuse in 80% of intimate partner violence cases.
Children that grow up watching their mother experience abuse are likely to deal with the effect that last well into adulthood. Some of the long-term effects that children experience after witnessing violence may include depression, health problems and/or repeating abusive patterns.
Children who witness woman abuse frequently experience post traumatic stress disorder.

The costs associated with physical and sexual violence against women in Canada total over $4.2 billion each year. This includes medical fees, police services, social agencies, income assistance, unemployment, the justice system, educational support and temporary housing.
The costs of operating women’s shelters in Canada total more than $135 million each year.

* Click here to open OAITH’s most recent femicide list –
Ontario women murdered during the period November 26th 2022 to November 25th 2023.