The Conversation Begins
April 15 2021
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April 15 2021
·
Hi friends,
Welcome to the briar de wolfe blog. This month we will be writing to you - the survivors, the allies, and the victims - about domestic violence.
Once a week for April, we will publish a post tackling domestic violence through a new lens. Whether it be examining statistics, Q&As, or the shadow pandemic - we are taking action together.
So, let's jump into it.
What Is Domestic Abuse?
You'll see the words domestic abuse and domestic violence used often. But what do those terms actually mean?
Well, there is no catch-all answer. You won't be able to flip a page in the dictionary and find the words to accurately define everyone's experience. It may be physical, sexual, psychological and/or emotional abuse. It can be committed by a family member, a spouse, or even a friend. To learn more about different types of abuse, its effects, and some important terminology - this is a valuable resource.
What Do The Numbers Say?
Well, numbers are only part of the story. COVID-19 is the perfect example of how skewed these statistics can be.
Between the mandatory quarantine and stay-at-home orders, there were long waves of lower than normal calls to helplines. Looking purely at the stats, this is a great sign...right? Wrong. This decrease doesn't necessarily mean abuses weren't committed. It can mean there is an increased fear of police, people are trapped at home with their abusers, or family and friends aren't able to report abuse due to lack of contact with the victim.
This is important to keep in mind because the statistics provided below and online are usually "gross underestimates" of what is actually happening in Canada. So take these points with a grain of salt because the larger picture is much, much worse.
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Calls related to domestic disturbances rose by nearly 12% between March and June of 2020 compared to the same four months in 2019
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Rates of domestic violence have increased by 20 to 30% Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
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A Statistics Canada survey released in early April 2020 reported 1 in 10 women saying they are “very or extremely” concerned about the possibility of violence in their homes due to the stress of confinement alone
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Globally, even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 1 in 3 women experienced physical or sexual violence
Resources
For Victims
A guide to staying safe while social distancing with an abuser
For Allies
The film A Better Man available for free streaming. This documentary challenges notions of domestic violence and reveals a side of the story often left out
Verbal Graffiti a spoken word poem performed by Britta B.
So, you may be asking yourself why? Why are we writing to you about this?
This is a personal endeavor as much as it is a necessary one. Hope and strength are the backbone of briar de wolfe. It is our responsibility, as it is every brands responsibility, to turn our mission into action. It's necessary, especially now, for survivors of domestic abuse to know they are not alone. briar de wolfe is here to help the people who need it and to build a resilient community.
For your safety, please clear your browser. Here's how.
Love,
Your friends at briar de wolfe
Additional message: **During COVID-19, there has been a significant rise in domestic violence and abuse. Where isolation is an effective strategy for everyone's safety, it is not the case for several victims. Please call 9-1-1 if you are feeling unsafe and please find a local shelter by any means necessary.
Photography by @OVITA.COLE
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