The Persistence of Sexual Violence
Breaking the Silence about Sexual Violence in Canada
May is Sexual Violence Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, challenge harmful myths, and stand in solidarity with survivors. Sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, harassment, and coercion, remains a pervasive issue in Canada, affecting individuals of all genders, though women, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ2S+ communities, and youth are disproportionately impacted. The trauma of sexual violence extends far beyond the immediate act, often leading to long-term mental health struggles such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and profound feelings of shame and isolation.
As a mental health professionals specializing in intimate partner violence, we’ve witnessed firsthand how societal stigma and victim-blaming silence survivors, discouraging them from seeking help. This post will outline key facts about sexual violence in Canada, explore its mental health consequences, and emphasize the importance of trauma-informed support. By shedding light on this issue, we can foster safer spaces for survivors to heal and advocate for meaningful change.
The Reality of Sexual Violence in Canada
Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual act or behavior imposed without consent. It can take many forms—physical assault, coercion, harassment, revenge porn, or even non-contact violations like sexual remarks or threats. According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, 1 in 3 women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to police, often due to fear of disbelief, retaliation, or retraumatization within the justice system.
Indigenous women face particularly alarming rates of violence, being 12 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-Indigenous women. Meanwhile, LGBTQ2S+ individuals experience sexual violence at nearly double the rate of heterosexual Canadians, with trans and non-binary people facing heightened vulnerability.
Workplace harassment is another insidious form of sexual violence. A 2022 survey found that 52% of women in Canada have experienced unwanted sexual behavior at work, from inappropriate comments to physical advances—yet most never report it, fearing professional repercussions.
By the Numbers
43% of women have been sexually harassed in the workplace.
Women were also more than 2x as likely as men to say they had experienced unwanted sexual contact while at work. (20% compared to 9%)
The rate of sexual assault for Canadians age 15 to 24 are 18x higher than that of Canadians age 55+.
82% of all victims of sexual assault under the age of 18 are female, a rate of sexual violence almost 5x higher than boys under 18. Girls are also 4x more likely than boys to be sexually assaulted by a family member.
Single women, women who are unemployed or have a low income, face a higher risk of sexual assault.
Disabled women experience sexual violence at about 3x the rate of non-disabled women.
Sexual assaults account for about 35% of all crimes committed against Aboriginal women, and 10% of all crimes committed against non-Aboriginal women.
Out of the number of seniors who are sexually assaulted by a family member, 96% are women.
Women who have experienced sexual assault are more likely to attempt suicide.
The Mental Health Impact of Sexual Violence
Survivors often carry the weight of their trauma for years, if not a lifetime. Many develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experiencing flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. Others struggle with depression, self-harm, or substance use as coping mechanisms. The psychological toll is compounded by societal responses—victim-blaming ("What were you wearing?"), minimization ("It wasn’t that bad"), and the exhausting burden of having to prove their trauma is real.
Consider Maya, a university student assaulted by a classmate. She didn’t report it because she feared no one would believe her—after all, he was a star athlete. Instead, she stopped attending lectures, developed insomnia, and blamed herself. Or David, a trans man harassed at work, who stayed silent because he didn’t want to be seen as "difficult." Both internalized their pain, believing they were at fault—a tragically common response.
Therapy and support groups can be lifelines, but barriers like cost, stigma, and lack of culturally safe care prevent many from accessing help. Trauma-informed mental health services are critical in validating survivors’ experiences and fostering healing.
Why Don’t More People Speak Up?
Our culture has become accustomed to blaming victims for abuse rather than the perpetrators. When women internalize victim-blaming, they might experience psychological responses to trauma including:
Denial: telling themselves that they are overreacting or the assault wasn’t a big deal.
Guilt/Shame: questioning their own actions and behaviour.
Embarrassment: blaming themselves for the abuse or feeling like they didn’t do enough to resist it.
There is a myth that sexual assault is usually committed by strangers. However, in about 80% of cases, the sexual assault survivor knows the offender. It is so important to know that sexual violence is not a safety or a judgement issue. It cannot simply be…avoided. Only one party is responsible for sexually assaulting or harassing another person: the perpetrator. Holding a survivor accountable for the violence she experiences is called victim-blaming and it is not only unfair, it’s also dangerous. Victim-blaming leads many women to believe abuse is their fault and makes them less likely to come forward and report sexual offences.
How Can We Support Survivors and Prevent Sexual Violence?
Believe Survivors
The simple act of saying, "I believe you, and this wasn’t your fault," can be transformative. Too often, survivors face skepticism or interrogation when disclosing assault.
Educate on Consent
Consent must be enthusiastic, ongoing, and reversible—not assumed, coerced, or implied. Schools, workplaces, and communities must normalize these conversations.
Advocate for Systemic Change
Stronger legal protections, survivor-centered policing, and workplace policies that hold perpetrators accountable are essential. Organizations like Canadian Women’s Foundation and Peachey Counselling offer resources for advocacy.
Encourage Professional Support
Therapy, crisis lines (like 1-888-933-9007 for Ontario’s sexual assault helpline), and peer support groups help survivors reclaim their sense of safety.
For more information about consent, go to getconsent.ca
Sexual violence is not inevitable—it is preventable. This Sexual Violence Prevention Month, let’s commit to listening to survivors, challenging rape culture, and demanding accountability. If you or someone you know has been affected, please know: you are not alone, and healing is possible.
To every survivor reading this: Your pain matters. Your story matters. You deserve support. Together, we can build a Canada where sexual violence is not just condemned, but eradicated.
Resources:
If you or someone you know is experiencing an abusive relationship, you must remember that safety is key, and that abuse is NEVER acceptable or justified, in any situation.
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And, sometimes love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
