Resources for Women

Trafficking in Persons Report (2009). Produced by the United States of America Department of State, this report seeks to increase global awareness of the human trafficking phenomenon. It sheds new light on various facets of the problem and highlights shared and individual efforts of the international community, and encourages foreign governments to take effective action against all forms of trafficking in persons. The report includes information about trafficking in Canada. Access the full report at http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/index.htm.

Organized Crime and Domestic Trafficking in Persons in Canada (2008). The Criminal Intelligence Service Canada produced a short strategic intelligence brief which provides information about the role of organized crime in domestic trafficking in Canada. You can find it at http://www.cisc.gc.ca/products_services/domestic_trafficking_persons/document/sib_web_en.pdf.

The Advocates Releases Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota (2008) At the request of the State of Minnesota’s Human Trafficking Task Force, The Advocates for Human Rights has prepared and published a needs assessment on sex trafficking in Minnesota. The report examines the government response to this issue at the local, state, tribal and federal levels; identifies facilities and services currently available to trafficking victims in Minnesota; assesses their effectiveness; and makes recommendations for coordinating services to better meet the needs of sex trafficking victims statewide. Find the report at http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/sites/608a3887-dd53-4796-8904-997a0131ca54/uploads/REPORT_FINAL.09.22.08.pdf

UN Security Council Acknowledges Rape as a War Crime (2008) On 19 June 2008, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1820 (2008), which notes that 'rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide'. It also affirmed the Council's intention, when establishing and renewing State-specific sanction regimes, to consider imposing 'targeted and graduated' measures against warring factions who committed rape and other forms of violence against women and girls. See http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/Open_Debates/Sexual_Violence08/SV_res_final_draft08.pdf

Engaging Men and Boys in Preventing Violence Against Women: Applying a Cognitive-Behavioral Model (2007): This research, published in the Violence Against Women Journal, shows how men and boys can participate in anti-violence work by changing attitudes using cognitive behavioural strategies. http://www.crvawc.ca/documents/crookspubengagingmenandboys.pdf

Stats on Shelters (released 2007): StatsCan released updated statistics for 2005-2006 about the number of women and children staying in shelters as a result of family violence. Between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2006, nearly 106,000 women and children were admitted to shelters, most often to escape abuse, according to a new report. While the number of women admitted to shelters to escape abuse has stayed relatively stable during the past nine years, the number of children has fallen substantially. See the report at http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070629/d070629c.htm

Neighbourhood Solutions: Working together to Address Sexual Exploitation on our Streets: This publication is a resource for neighbourhoods that want to learn more about the issue of sexual exploitation through prostitution. Child Find Manitoba, in partnership with the Province of Manitoba has launched the second phase of the Stop Sex with Kids public awareness campaign. Visit the Stop Sex With Kids website to take action against child sexual exploitation. http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/safe/

Medical experts' consensus on policy and action against partner violence (released 2006): The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) has identified violence as an important determinant of women's health and is committed to supporting its members in their care of abused women. The SOGC recently released its Intimate Partner Violence Consensus Statement developed by experts from across Canada. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a significant, underlying cause of poor health and is well documented as a serious public health issue. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommends that healthcare providers should include inquiries about violence in the behavioural health assessment of new patients, at annual preventive visits, as part of prenatal care and in response to conditions associated with abuse. Referrals to useful services (advocacy, job training and financial support) are the most important role for healthcare professionals. Health care professionals should make clear, legible and objective clinical notes, using the woman's own words about abuse and adding diagrams and photographs when appropriate.

The Consensus Statement and an Intimate Partner Assessment Toolkit can be accessed through the SOGC website at http://www.sogc.org/health/health-ipv_e.asp

Global report reveals impact of domestic violence on children (released 2006): A global report by UNICEF and The Body Shop International reveals the devastating and lasting impact on children of living with domestic violence. Full story at: http://www.unicef.org/media/media_35151.html;
En francais: http://www.unicef.org/french/media/media_35151.html

RESOLVE's Intimate Partner Violence – Reflections on Experience, Theory and Practice: RESOLVE (Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse) located at the University of Manitoba, recently launched a publication titled Intimate Partner Violence - Reflections on Experience, Theory and Policy. The publication can be ordered from the RESOLVE website at: http://www.umanitoba.ca/resolve/whats_new/intimate_toc.shtml

Excerpts on genocide - gendercide: Between 113 - 200 million women around the world are demographically "missing." Every year, from 1.5 to 3 million women and girls lose their lives as a result of gender-based violence or neglect. Brides are killed if fathers do not pay sufficient money to the groom. An uncounted number of girls are killed in the international sex trade. Domestic violence is a major cause of death of women in every country. Every year 600,000 women die giving birth. Six thousand girls undergo genital mutilation every day and many die.
- Source: New Brunswick Women's News, June 6, 2006

Global study on domestic violence against women (released 2005): The WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women, involved more than 24,000 women, aged 15 to 49 years, in ten countries. This report and their related materials are at: http://www.who.int/gender/violence/who_multicountry_study/en/

National and regional grants to help stop violence against women: The Canadian Women's Foundation raises money and makes grants to help stop violence against women and build economic independence for women and their children. Their website is http://cdnwomen.org.

Resources on women's human rights and violence against women: The new Women, Ink. Catalogue, features some 250 books and training resources on women and development, including the following: Strengthening Resistance: Confronting Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS, Realizing our Rights: Holding the State Accountable for Violence Against Women in the Asia-Pacific Region, Forsaken Females: Global Brutalization of Women, Violence, Law and Women's Rights in South Asia, Trafficking and the Global Sex Industry. Visit Women, Ink. online at: www.womenink.org.