For the purposes of this resolution, it was suggested to use “newcomer” instead of immigrant for inclusivity. Newcomers include immigrants, refugees, and those with temporary visas. Just over 1.3 million newcomers settled permanently in Canada from 2016 to 2021, the highest number of recent newcomers recorded in the Canadian census (Government of Canada, 2022). Newcomer women make up a significant part of Canada’s population (Chui, 2011). Newcomer women continue to make up a significant part of Canada’s workforce and, therefore, contribute important economic contributions (Tabibi et al., 2018). Therefore, it is all the more imperative for this group to have access to services. According to the 2006 Census by Statistics Canada, one in five women are born outside of Canada and 3,222,795 women in Canada are immigrants. This number is expected to progress upwards in the future. The number of newcomer women who are also visible minorities continues to increase. In 2006, 76% of newcomer women were members of visible minorities (Chui, 2011).
Sexual assault is a widespread and serious problem in our society that disproportionately affects women. Yet, instead of delivering justice, the criminal justice system is too often a source of further distress for victims of sexual assault (Haskell and Randall, 2019). It is well known that many victims choose not to report the crimes of sexual violence committed against them. Newcomer victims of partner abuse remain mute because they lack knowledge of the provinces’ health, social service, and judicial systems. Religion and culture are often used to justify and excuse violence and keep women oppressed within newcomer communities (Tabibi et al., 2018).
With family and gender-based violence increasing, it has been calculated that the cost of violence against women and girls in Canada for healthcare, criminal justice, social services, productivity, and lost wages is $4.2 billion per year. In 2006, 1.7 million, or 55.8% of newcomer women aged 15 and over, were in the labor force (Chui, 2011). In 2019, Ontario recorded more than 30,000 incidents of intimate partner violence. (Statista, 2019). Sixty-two women and children were killed through gender-based violence between November 26, 2022, and November 25, 2023. (OAITH, 2023).
English often is the second language for newcome, women making it difficult to navigate the bureaucracy that may help them. The proportion of women who have a first language other than English or French has continued to increase. In 2001 and 2006, 80% of recent newcomer women identified a non-official language as their first language (Chui, 2011). In addition, not all support workers are educated in handling cultural problems. Outreach, prevention, and support programs are needed. Educational and information sessions need to be developed for both the victims and those assisting them (Tabibi, Ahmad, Baker, & Lalonde, 2018).
“Increasing women’s participation in the economy is critical to their financial independence, their family’s prosperity, and Ontario’s economic growth. Because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.” (Government of Ontario, para 5, 2023).
References
Chui, (2011). Immigrant women: a gender-based statistical erport.” Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2011. (Statistics Canada—Catalogue no. 89-503-X) Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89-503-x/2010001/article/11528-eng.pdf?st=ObFzO_t-
Government of Canada. (2022). Immigrants make up the largest share of the population in over 150 years and continue to shape who we are as Canadians. Retrieved from
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221026/dq221026a-eng.htm
Government of Ontario. (December 6, 2023). Ontario investing in programs to prevent and address gender-based violence. Retrieved from https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003941/ontario-investing-in-programs-to-prevent-and-address-gender-based-violence
Haskell, L., & Randall, M. (2019). The impact of trauma on adult sexual assault victims. Report submitted to Justice Canada by Dr. Lori Haskell, C. Psych., and Dr. Melanie Randall. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/trauma/p2.html
Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses. (2023). We make femicide count because…Femicide in Ontario. Retrieved from https://www.oaith.ca/oaith-work/we-count-femicide-because/annual-femicide-lists.html
Statista. (2019). Intimate partner violence victims in Canada by sex and province. Retrieved from
https://www.statista.com/statistics/434417/intimate-partner-violence-victims-in-canada-by-sex-and-province/
Tabibi, J., Ahmad, S., Baker, L., & Lalonde, D. (2018). Intimate partner violence against immigrant and refugee women. Learning Network Issue 26. London, Ontario: Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children. Retrieved from https://gbvlearningnetwork.ca/our-work/issuebased_newsletters/issue-26/index.html
Additional Resources
Statistics Canada. (2021). Census. “Immigrants status and period of immigration”. Retrieved from
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/census/census-engagement/community-supporter/immigration
Traber, Chris. “Outreach Needed: Report” (In “Era Banner,” Oct. 28, 2011)
https://www.yorkregion.com/news/outreach-needed-report/article_e656761b-9955-5012-a76c-717a087feb41.html
