Jan 10, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services
Since 1979, Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) has worked to end violence against women and gender-based violence. We work directly with victims and survivors experiencing intimate partner domestic and sexualized violence, offering support, advocacy, and healing spaces. Today, the escalating housing crisis adds urgency to their work. For women fleeing violence, finding safe, affordable housing is often an impossible task, forcing many to return to unsafe situations or live in precarious conditions, such as their cars.
BWSS is calling for bold action: the expansion of rent subsidies tailored to the needs of women and children fleeing violence. This measure can create a pathway from crisis to stability, providing a tangible opportunity for survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity.
The Housing Crisis and Women Fleeing Violence
Every day, approximately 200 women fleeing violence in British Columbia are turned away from shelters due to lack of space. Women fleeing violence face a heartbreaking choice: return to abusive environments or risk homelessness. For women living on income assistance or earning minimum wage, the staggering costs of private rental housing are entirely out of reach. With the average rent for a two-bedroom unit in Vancouver exceeding $3,500 per month, safe housing remains unattainable for many.
Did you know? 50% of women leaving abusive relationships face poverty or economic instability. It’s time to break this cycle with rent subsidies and employment support solutions. Every woman deserves safety and stability. Systemic inequities in housing disproportionately impact women fleeing violence. Indigenous women, immigrant women, and single mothers face compounding challenges, with poverty rates as high as 73 percent among Indigenous single mothers. For women fleeing violence, the journey from crisis to stability is fraught with barriers, leaving them trapped in a cycle of temporary solutions without clear pathways to independence.
A Call to Expand Rent Subsidies for Women Fleeing Violence
In BC, roughly 200 women fleeing violence are turned away from shelters and transition houses every day. This shocking statistic highlights a deeper issue: our housing system is failing survivors. For women leaving abusive relationships, the transition from crisis to stability is precarious and often impossible. Many are forced to return to abusive situations or endure invisible homelessness, living in their cars as a last resort to escape abuse.
As British Columbia’s new provincial government cabinet begins its work, BWSS is calling for decisive action: an expansion of rent subsidies tailored for women and their children fleeing violence. This proposal aligns with the province’s commitments to affordability and safety while addressing the urgent housing crisis.
The goal is to turn victims of violence into survivors with a real chance at building stable, independent lives. With median rents in Metro Vancouver reaching $3,000, moving forward without targeted support is nearly impossible. A portable rent subsidy program would bridge the gap between what women can afford and the high market rents, enabling them to live safely and independently.
The Current System Falls Short
BC offers some support through programs like the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER). However, these programs have:
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Lengthy Waitlists: Subsidized housing waitlists can stretch over two years, which is far too long for women in crisis.
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Eligibility Barriers: Strict criteria exclude many survivors of domestic violence.
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Limited Second-Stage Housing: Temporary housing for up to 18 months is insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Without immediate intervention, women are left with no options, prolonging their exposure to violence or forcing them into homelessness.
The BWSS Solution: A Portable Rent Subsidy Model
BWSS proposes a rent subsidy model specifically for women-led households fleeing violence. This model would:
4. Free Up Transitional Housing: Enable smoother transitions along the housing continuum, creating space in shelters and second-stage housing for other women in crisis.
Benefits of Expanding Rent Subsidies
The proposed rent subsidy program is more than a short-term solution; it’s a critical step toward systemic change:
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Safety and Security: Reduces the risk of women returning to abusive environments or facing homelessness.
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Economic Contributions: Once stabilized, women can pursue employment and education.
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Efficient Service Delivery: Frees up resources in emergency shelters and second-stage housing for other women in crisis.
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Empowerment: Women gain autonomy to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.
Lessons from Other Jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions have successfully implemented similar programs:
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Section 8 Housing (USA): A federally funded voucher system that allows low-income families to secure private rental housing.
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Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (USA): This credit provides incentives for developers to create affordable housing, though administrative costs are high.
By adapting these models, BC can create a cost-effective, scalable program that meets the needs of women fleeing violence.
Providing a Pathway to Independence
Expanding rent subsidies offers women a clear pathway from crisis housing to long-term stability. When women have access to stable housing, they can focus on rebuilding their lives—pursuing education, securing employment, and breaking free from the cycle of poverty and violence.
Housing is more than a roof over your head; it’s the foundation for safety, dignity, and freedom. Women fleeing violence deserve more than temporary solutions. They deserve the chance to rebuild their lives on solid ground, with the support and security they need to thrive.
It’s time for BC to take bold, decisive action. Expanding rent subsidies for women fleeing violence is not just a policy change—it’s a commitment to equity, safety, and human dignity. As the province’s new government cabinet steps into its roles, let’s ensure that providing safe, affordable housing for survivors is a top priority.
Women and children escaping violence deserve more than temporary solutions. They deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives on solid ground, with the safety and stability they need to thrive.
By acting now, we can create a future where no woman must choose between staying with an abuser or facing homelessness.
Join us in making 2025 the year we take meaningful action. Together, we can ensure that Safety Starts at Home.
As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.
You are not alone.
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org
Jan 10, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services
Boundaries are essential in every relationship—they define the emotional, physical, and personal space where you feel safe, respected, and valued. But what exactly are boundaries, and how do you set them with your partner?
Simply put, personal boundaries are the limits you set regarding your body, emotions, digital presence, finances, and more. They help clarify what you’re comfortable sharing and what feels off-limits. Healthy boundaries are built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding—and it’s entirely your choice to decide what works for you.
If your partner pressures you to change your boundaries, that’s not okay. You deserve to feel heard, respected, and safe in your relationship.
The Importance of Boundaries
Boundaries empower you to:
- Define how you want to be treated
- Express your needs honestly and openly
- Respect your partner’s limits while honouring your own
Healthy boundaries allow relationships to flourish, creating an environment where both partners feel secure and understood.
Let’s explore the different types of boundaries:
Digital boundaries cover your online presence, phone, social media profiles, and digital communication (like texting or posting online).
Ask yourself:
- Am I okay being tagged in photos or mentioned on social media?
- Do I want our relationship status to be public?
- Am I comfortable sharing passwords or access to my devices?
Even in a deeply trusting relationship, you are not obligated to share your passwords or grant access to your accounts.
Clear communication about your digital comfort zones helps set expectations and prevents misunderstandings.
Money can be a sensitive topic, and financial boundaries involve decisions about your income, spending habits, and financial responsibilities.
- You’re not obligated to share details about your income, bank accounts, or credit cards.
- If you live together, have open and honest conversations about shared expenses and budgets.
- Financial transparency should always feel safe and voluntary—not pressured or forced.
Trust your instincts. If you’re uncomfortable sharing financial details, that’s perfectly okay.
Physical boundaries relate to your body, personal space, and physical intimacy. This includes your comfort with public displays of affection, physical closeness, and how you navigate physical disagreements.
- Know your comfort zone: Understand what feels safe and comfortable in terms of physical intimacy.
- Communicate openly: Share your boundaries clearly with your partner.
Arguments can bring intense emotions, but physical harm is never acceptable—in any situation, at any time.
Emotional boundaries protect your feelings, trust, and vulnerability. They help you decide how much of yourself you’re ready to share emotionally with your partner.
- Take your time when opening up emotionally—it’s a gradual process.
- Discuss what emotional support looks like for you.
- Understand that emotional independence is healthy.
Spending time apart, pursuing hobbies, and nurturing friendships outside of your relationship are essential for maintaining emotional balance.
Why Boundaries Strengthen Relationships
It’s easy to worry that boundaries might create distance, but the opposite is true—they build trust, clarity, and respect.
Healthy boundaries allow both partners to:
- Feel safe expressing their needs and concerns.
- Grow together without losing their individuality.
- Support each other’s well-being without overstepping limits.
Final Thoughts on Boundaries
Boundaries aren’t about shutting your partner out—they’re about creating a space where both of you can thrive.
Whether they’re digital, physical, financial, or emotional, boundaries are the foundation of a healthy, balanced, and loving relationship.
Take time to reflect on what feels right for you. Communicate openly. Respect each other’s limits.
When both partners honour each other’s boundaries, they create a relationship built on trust, understanding, and mutual care.
As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.
You are not alone.
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org
Jan 8, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services
Evan Vucci/The Associated Press
The escalating rhetoric from Donald Trump toward Canada has sent ripples through the political and economic spheres of both nations. With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signaling his impending departure from leadership—though still holding office until a successor is chosen—the timing could not be more precarious. Trudeau’s pointed rebuttal on social media—”There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada will become part of the United States”—highlights the intensity of the moment.
Yet beyond the viral soundbites, a deeper analysis is required to understand what’s at stake—not only for Canada’s economic and political stability but also for the lives and safety of marginalized groups, particularly women and Indigenous communities.
A Shocking Escalation—or a Predictable Pattern?
Historical Parallels: The Shadow of Manifest Destiny
While Trump’s bombastic rhetoric may feel unprecedented to many Canadians, it echoes deeply rooted patterns of American nationalism and expansionism, most famously embodied in the 19th-century concept of Manifest Destiny. This doctrine asserted that the United States was destined—by God and history—to expand its territory across North America, regardless of the sovereignty of neighboring nations or Indigenous peoples.
Though the language of Manifest Destiny faded from mainstream discourse, its spirit persists in slogans like “Make America Great Again.” For many Canadians, the suggestion of Canada becoming part of the United States feels absurd. However, for regions historically subject to American intervention—Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean—this rhetoric serves as a chilling reminder of the power imbalance that continues to shape relationships between nations.
Provocation as Strategy: A Playbook of Chaos
Trump’s approach may seem erratic, but it follows a recognizable pattern: provoke, destabilize, and leverage chaos for negotiation. It’s a tactic that worked in trade disputes during his first term, including the imposition of steep tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
The Economic Gendered Impact
It’s important to note that economic shocks caused by trade disputes are not gender-neutral. Women, particularly those employed in industries like manufacturing and agriculture, are often the first to face job losses or wage cuts. Economic vulnerability can increase reliance on abusive partners, reduce access to essential services, and exacerbate already precarious living conditions.
Canada’s Economic Vulnerabilities: A Double-Edged Sword
Interdependence as Both Strength and Weakness
Canada sends nearly 75% of its exports to the United States. This economic integration across key industries—automotive manufacturing, energy, and agriculture—means any disruption, rhetorical or real, can have devastating consequences. Trump’s threat of imposing 25% tariffs on key Canadian exports is not just economic posturing—it’s a genuine risk to jobs and livelihoods across Canada.
The Gendered Fallout of Economic Instability
Economic downturns disproportionately harm women and marginalized communities. When governments face fiscal constraints, funding for essential services such as shelters, counselling programs, and GBV prevention initiatives is often the first to be cut. These services are lifelines for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Call for Economic Diversification
Agreements like CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) with Europe and CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) offer pathways to reduce reliance on U.S. trade. However, these agreements remain underutilized. Diversification isn’t just an economic priority—it’s a necessity for gender equity and social resilience.
Colonial Legacies and Structural Vulnerabilities
Canada’s Colonial Foundations: An Ongoing Crisis
Colonialism and imperialism are not relics of the past—they are active forces shaping Canada’s political and economic systems. Policies of displacement, resource extraction, and systemic discrimination continue to harm Indigenous communities, particularly women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals.
Resource Extraction and GBV: A Deadly Connection
Large-scale resource extraction projects have long been associated with increased violence against women in nearby communities. The arrival of transient, male-dominated workforces, coupled with weakened community oversight, creates conditions ripe for exploitation and abuse.
Efforts to combat GBV cannot be separated from economic and resource policies. Protecting Indigenous women and girls requires robust environmental oversight, community-based safety initiatives, and meaningful consultation with Indigenous leaders.
Blue Gold: The Geopolitics of Water Resources in Canada
Freshwater Reserves in Canada: An Overlooked Vulnerability in the Race to the Bottom
Canada holds about 20% of the world’s freshwater reserves and 7% of its renewable freshwater flow, despite representing only 0.5% of the global population. This resource is increasingly seen as a geopolitical asset—and potential point of contention.
Historical and Modern Water Diversion Plans
Projects like the Grand Canal Project and NAWAPA (North American Water and Power Alliance) proposed redirecting Canada’s water southward. Though unrealized, these projects signal a persistent interest in Canadian water reserves, especially as droughts intensify across the United States.
In Indigenous communities, where water boil advisories are alarmingly common, women often bear the physical and emotional burden of securing clean water. Increased resource extraction or large-scale diversion projects would only deepen these inequalities, leaving women and girls more vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
Climate Emergency and Water Insecurity
As wildfires rage in Los Angeles, smothering skies with smoke, and British Columbia grapples with recurring heat domes that claim lives and strain infrastructure, the climate emergency grows ever more urgent. These events are not isolated—they are symptoms of a global water and climate crisis that policymakers seem paralyzed to address. Amid rising temperatures, depleted reservoirs, and vanishing snowpacks, Canada’s water resources will face unprecedented pressure. Yet, meaningful international collaboration to address these cascading crises feels increasingly out of reach, as political leaders focus on short-term gains instead of long-term resilience.
The Ripple Effect on Efforts to End Violence Against Women
Economic Instability and Intimate Partner Violence
When economies falter, social services often face cuts, shelters lose funding, and families face increased financial stress—all of which heighten the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). For women in precarious employment, job losses can mean being trapped in abusive relationships.
Nationalist Rhetoric and Gendered Backlash
Trump’s leadership style, marked by divisive and often misogynistic rhetoric, emboldens extremist ideologies. Historically, nationalist movements have reinforced patriarchal norms, portraying feminist, and gender equity initiatives as distractions from “real” national priorities.
Resource Extraction and Vulnerability
Resource projects often exacerbate GBV risks in nearby communities. As Canada navigates economic tensions with the U.S., policymakers must ensure that economic strategies do not come at the expense of women’s safety.
Policy and Strategic Recommendations
Prioritize full implementation of agreements like CETA and CPTPP.
Safeguard funding for GBV prevention programs, even during economic downturns.
Classify water as a protected natural resource, not a tradable good, in future agreements.
Ensure Indigenous voices are central in decisions about trade, resource extraction, and water governance.
Build coalitions with U.S.-based feminist movements to counter divisive rhetoric.
A Call for Resilience and Equity
The intersection of economic instability, nationalist rhetoric, colonial legacies, and resource insecurity creates a precarious landscape for women and gender-diverse individuals in this land now know as Canada. Trump’s threats may seem distant from frontline efforts to end violence against women, but their ripple effects are undeniable.
Policymakers, advocates, and community leaders must recognize these connections. Protecting gender equity must remain central—not secondary—in Canada’s economic and diplomatic strategy.
As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.
You are not alone.
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org
Jan 3, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services
Intimate partner violence (IPV) manifests in many forms, all of which cause profound harm to victims and survivors, who are disproportionately women and children. In August, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada declared that gender-based violence is an epidemic. Historically, legal systems primarily sanctioned physical and sexual abuse, with spousal sexual assault only criminalized as recently as 1983.
Over time, emotional and financial abuse, along with coercive control, have been recognized as insidious and pervasive forms of IPV. Coercive control, as articulated by Evan Stark in Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life (Oxford University Press, 2007), focuses on patterns of behavior rather than isolated incidents. It examines the impact on survivors’ autonomy rather than merely physical injuries. While coercive control remains un-criminalized in Canada—unlike in jurisdictions such as England and Wales—many Canadian laws now broadly define IPV to include emotional and financial abuse alongside coercive control. These broader definitions inform decisions about parenting, protection orders, early lease terminations, employment leave, and other remedies.
A New Era for Addressing Family Violence: The Case for a Dedicated Tort
The Supreme Court of Canada’s deliberation in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia (SCC File No. 41061) could reshape how Canadian law recognizes and remedies family violence. At the heart of this appeal is the question of whether a specific tort of family violence is necessary to address the systemic, long-term harms caused by patterns of abuse, coercion, and control. This case underscores the shortcomings of existing legal frameworks and highlights the need for reforms that better support survivors, particularly women and gender-diverse individuals.
The Supreme Court of Canada’s deliberation in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia . Central to this appeal is the recognition of a proposed nominate tort of family violence, a legal reform that could provide survivors with more effective avenues for justice. This blog examines the importance of this case, the case law informing its context, and the collective advocacy efforts led by Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) and other intervening organizations.
Case Background: Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia
At trial, Ms. Ahluwalia sought damages as part of her divorce proceedings, citing a sustained pattern of emotional, physical, and financial abuse by her ex-husband. The trial judge created a new tort of family violence, awarding Ms. Ahluwalia $150,000 in damages. This decision emphasized the cumulative harm caused by IPV, stating:
“…existing torts do not fully capture the cumulative harm associated with the pattern of coercion and control that lays at the heart of family violence cases… These uniquely harmful aspects of family violence are not adequately captured in the existing torts.”
The Ontario Court of Appeal overturned the creation of the new tort, asserting that existing legal mechanisms like assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress were sufficient. They reduced Ms. Ahluwalia’s damages to $100,000. The case now lies before the Supreme Court of Canada, which will determine whether the proposed tort of family violence is both necessary and appropriate.
Calls for Recognizing a Tort of Family Violence
BWSS filed a submission to intervene in the Supreme Court case to underscore the need for the legal system to explicitly recognize family violence as a distinct tort. BWSS was granted leave to intervene in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia and our submission will ask the court to:
- Provide survivors with a clear legal avenue for redress.
- Acknowledge the intersectional dimensions of violence.
- Ensure that systemic barriers and historical injustices are addressed within legal proceedings.
Intersectionality as a Legal Imperative
The concept of intersectionality—within the context of historical inequities, the understanding that social categorizations such as race, class, and gender overlap to create unique experiences of oppression—must guide the Court’s deliberations. The recognition of this principle would represent a step toward justice that is equitable and inclusive.
Systemic Challenges in Addressing IPV Through Tort Law
Tort law, historically shaped by a male-centric perspective, has failed to provide adequate remedies for IPV survivors. Key issues include:
- Fragmented Framework: Current torts address specific incidents, such as assault or battery, but fail to capture the long-term and systemic nature of IPV.
- Barriers to Proof: Survivors face significant challenges in proving both the abuse and its extensive psychological, emotional, and financial impacts.
- Compensation Disparities: Survivors of IPV often receive lower damages compared to victims of violence by strangers, reflecting systemic biases.
These shortcomings reinforce the need for a comprehensive legal framework that acknowledges the cumulative and intersecting harms of IPV.
Collaborative Advocacy: A Unified Front
BWSS joins several prominent organizations in seeking to intervene in Ahluwalia v. Ahluwalia, including:
- Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes
- Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
- DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada
- Justice for Children and Youth
- National Association of Women and the Law
- Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
Together with these organizations, BWSS is part of a broad coalition of voices advocating for survivors’ rights and systemic change. Our collective intervention highlights the widespread recognition of family violence as a critical issue requiring a dedicated legal framework.
Conclusion: A Path Forward
The Supreme Court’s decision on the proposed tort of family violence holds significant implications for survivors across Canada. Acknowledging family violence within the legal framework would not only offer new pathways for justice but also affirm the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. Advocacy organizations like BWSS are essential in shaping a legal landscape that prioritizes equity, safety, and dignity for all.
By recognizing the unique experiences of survivors and integrating intersectional principles into the legal framework, Canada can take a vital step toward combating family violence and supporting those most affected by its devastating impacts.
As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.
You are not alone.
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org
Jan 1, 2025 | Battered Women's Support Services
A note that says “I love you”… For many, it’s a tender message. But for someone escaping intimate partner violence, finding this note—written in their abusive partner’s handwriting—on their workplace desk or the door of their new apartment can be a chilling sign: their stalker has found them and plans to continue the abuse.
As we enter a New Year, it’s a time for reflection, growth, and setting intentions. It’s also an important opportunity to raise awareness about the realities of stalking—a crime that is traumatic, dangerous, and often misunderstood. January is Stalking Awareness Month, highlighting the urgent need to address stalking and its connection to intimate partner homicide, also known as femicide—a form of violence aptly described as “homicide in slow motion.”
The connection between stalking and femicide is stark:
- 76% of intimate partner femicide victims were stalked by their partner.
- 67% experienced physical abuse before being killed.
- 89% of those physically assaulted were also stalked in the 12 months before their murder.
- 79% of abused femicide victims reported being stalked while experiencing abuse.
- 54% reported stalking to the police before being murdered.
In 2021, Statistics Canada reported a fifth consecutive yearly rise in police-reported family violence, reaching 127,082 victims. On average, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days. Criminal harassment rose by 10% over two years, while indecent and harassing communications surged by 29% since 2019.
At BWSS, we work with survivors of violence every day. Many women, girls, and gender-diverse people accessing our services are navigating the profound impacts of stalking, past or present. This is why we prioritize addressing stalking while supporting survivors on their path to safety—because safety changes everything.
As an organization dedicated to ending violence in all its forms, BWSS stands in solidarity with victims and survivors. For resources on safety, accessing support, and taking action against gender-based violence, visit our website.
You are not alone.
Call toll-free: 1-855-687-1868 Metro Vancouver: 604-687-1867 Email: EndingViolence@bwss.org
Dec 31, 2024 | Battered Women's Support Services
Matricide, the act of a son killing his mother, represents one of the most disturbing and tragic forms of gender-based violence. While statistically rare, it reveals a deeply entrenched intersection of mental health crises, misogyny, patriarchal values, and systemic failures. Matricide fits into the broader framework of femicide—the gender-based killing of women—and highlights societal blind spots in recognizing and addressing this unique form of violence.
The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Accountability and Justice (CFOAJ) tracks gender-related homicides and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic interventions. However, the lack of data disaggregation and limited global research specifically addressing son-to-mother killings obscure the scale and dynamics of this violence. This essay will analyze recent trends in matricide in Canada, discuss the role of misogyny and patriarchal structures in these killings, explore failures in institutional responses, compare Canadian cases to global trends, and emphasize the importance of policy reform and research to address this issue effectively
The term femicide, coined by Diana Russell in 1976, refers to the killing of women by men because they are women, rooted in misogyny and societal norms about gender roles. Over time, the definition has expanded to include feminicide, which emphasizes state accountability for failing to protect women and prosecute perpetrators.
Matricide, as a subset of femicide, remains underexamined and underacknowledged in global research. While international frameworks often include killings perpetrated by fathers, uncles, brothers, or cousins (e.g., UNODC, 2019; Weil et al., 2018), the category of sons as perpetrators remains largely overlooked. This omission is exacerbated by poor data disaggregation, making it difficult to determine the scale of son-mother killings internationally.
Emerging research suggests that parricide (the killing of a parent) is a stubborn phenomenon that remains consistent even during periods of declining homicide rates. Studies from England and Wales show that parricide averages between 18 and 22 cases per year (Bojanic et al., 2020; Holt, 2017; Miles, Condry, and Windsor, 2022). While women account for 27–30% of non-domestic homicide victims, they represent around 50% of all parricide victims, with mothers being disproportionately affected (Bojanic et al., 2020; Holt, 2017; Miles et al., 2022). Furthermore, 85–90% of parricide perpetrators are men, underscoring the gendered nature of this form of violence (Heide, 2013b; Miles et al., 2022).
This data highlights the critical need to recognize matricide as a distinct form of femicide shaped by misogyny, familial power dynamics, and institutional failures.
While matricide remains statistically rare in Canada, recent cases underscore recurring patterns of mental health struggles, misogyny, and institutional neglect:
- Pickering, Ontario (2024): A 64-year-old woman, Sheila Hercules, was assaulted and killed by her 25-year-old son. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
- Toronto, Ontario (2022): Dallas Ly, 20, was charged with second-degree murder after the dismembered body of his mother, Tien Ly, was discovered. His trial revealed underlying resentment and mental health issues.
- Hamilton, Ontario (2023): Daryl Buckle, 34, was charged with first-degree murder following the death of his mother, Jacquelyne Buckle.
- Kamloops, British Columbia (2023): Brandon Donovan, 35, was charged with second-degree murder after the death of his mother, Jo-Anne Donovan.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia (2024): Jonathan Pinsky, 41, was charged with second-degree murder following the death of his mother, Delina Pinsky.
- Victoria, British Columbia (2022): Alexander James Thorpe was charged with the murder of his mother. The investigation revealed a history of untreated mental health issues and family dysfunction.
These cases demonstrate patterns of institutional failures to recognize risk, inadequacies in mental health care systems, and societal blindness to the gendered aspects of matricide.
The Role of Misogyny and Patriarchy in Matricide
Matricide cannot be understood without addressing the role of misogyny and patriarchal conditioning. Mothers are often seen through conflicting societal lenses: self-sacrificing nurturers, emotional caretakers, and moral authorities. These expectations place immense burdens on mothers while simultaneously positioning them as targets of blame and resentment.
- Scapegoating Mothers: Patriarchal values often position mothers as responsible for their sons’ failures. When men internalize societal messages about dominance and emotional suppression, their dependence on their mothers creates cognitive dissonance and fosters resentment.
- The Emotional Dependency Paradox: Sons may resent their reliance on their mothers while simultaneously feeling unable to break free from this dependence.
- Toxic Masculinity: Societal narratives framing caregiving and emotional vulnerability as feminine traits can cause sons to lash out violently when confronted with feelings of inadequacy.
- Institutional Blindness: Many systems fail to recognize the specific gendered risks mothers face when caring for adult sons with untreated or poorly managed mental health conditions.
Failures to Understand Risk to Mothers
Institutional reviews consistently highlight failures to understand and mitigate risks to mothers caring for violent or mentally ill sons:
- Failure to Identify Abuse: Incidents of property damage, threats, and previous violent outbursts were often overlooked or minimized by authorities.
- Poor Risk Assessments: In one case, a GP’s notes indicated that a son posed risks to female staff, yet he was allowed to live with his mother without any additional safety measures.
- Ignored Warnings: Mothers frequently voiced fears for their safety, and sons occasionally expressed concerns about harming their mothers, but these warnings were ignored.
- Isolation of Mothers: Mothers were often the sole caregivers, isolated from other support systems, and expected to monitor and report their sons’ behavior despite the clear risks involved.
- Psychotic Delusions: Symptoms such as persecutory ideations, command hallucinations, and Capgras syndrome were consistently identified as significant predictors of violence against mothers (Carabellese et al., 2014).
Mothers were frequently caught in a paradox of responsibility and marginalization—expected to act as primary caregivers while their safety concerns were dismissed or overlooked by professionals.
Global Trends and Comparative Analysis
Globally, matricide shares many patterns across different cultural contexts. In patriarchal societies with rigid gender norms, mothers are often scapegoated for their sons’ failures. In regions like Latin America, femicide rates remain alarmingly high, and feminicide frameworks emphasize state accountability for failing to protect women.
In contrast, Scandinavian countries have demonstrated success in reducing family violence through early intervention, mental health services, and robust social support systems. Canada can learn from these global models to address the societal and institutional factors contributing to matricide.
Recommendations for Addressing Matricide with a Focus on Support for Mothers of Adult or Youth Sons
To address matricide effectively and provide meaningful support to mothers of adult or youth sons, Canada must:
- Expand Mental Health Services for Families and Caregivers:
- Provide accessible, timely, and integrated mental health care specifically tailored for families, with targeted services for mothers caring for adult or youth sons experiencing mental health crises.
- Create specialized mental health programs that include family therapy, caregiver counseling, and crisis intervention services.
- Ensure mental health professionals are trained to recognize the unique challenges faced by mothers in caregiving roles.
- Improve Risk Assessment and Intervention Protocols:
- Develop and implement comprehensive risk assessment tools specifically focused on identifying risks to mothers of adult or youth sons exhibiting violent behavior or untreated mental health conditions.
- Ensure frontline workers, clinicians, and social service professionals are trained to recognize early warning signs of abuse, coercive control, and escalating risk in mother-son dynamics.
- Require follow-up protocols when concerning incidents (e.g., threats, property damage, violent outbursts) are reported, ensuring mothers’ concerns are taken seriously and acted upon promptly.
- Educate on Gendered Dynamics and Caregiver Burdens:
- Address societal narratives surrounding masculinity, caregiving roles, and emotional vulnerability through public education campaigns targeting boys, men, and families.
- Provide training for educators, social workers, and healthcare providers on the gendered dynamics of mother-son relationships, particularly in caregiving contexts.
- Challenge societal stigmas that discourage mothers from reporting abuse or seeking help due to fear of judgment or reprisal.
- Enhance Support Services for Mothers as Caregivers:
- Develop targeted support programs specifically for mothers caring for adult or youth sons with severe mental health conditions or behavioral concerns.
- Provide financial assistance, respite care services, and peer support groups for mothers who often bear disproportionate caregiving responsibilities.
- Establish helplines and crisis intervention services specifically designed for mothers experiencing fear or violence from their sons.
- Implement safety planning protocols for mothers living with at-risk sons, ensuring they have access to emergency housing and secure environments if needed.
- Improve Data Collection and Research on Matricide:
- Mandate the disaggregation of homicide data to specifically track matricide cases, including contextual information on perpetrators’ mental health history, caregiving dynamics, and previous warning signs.
- Conduct in-depth research on the lived experiences of mothers caring for at-risk adult or youth sons to better understand systemic gaps and inform evidence-based policy interventions.
Encourage collaboration between academic researchers, government agencies, and non-profits to analyze data trends and identify effective prevention strategies.
Matricide is not merely an isolated tragedy—it is a stark reflection of deeply entrenched societal and institutional failures rooted in misogyny, patriarchal power structures, and systemic neglect. It is a hidden form of femicide, shaped by gendered expectations that simultaneously idealize and scapegoat mothers, leaving them vulnerable to both familial and institutional violence. The invisibility of mothers as victims of femicide reflects not only societal indifference but also a state-level failure to recognize and address the risks they face.
To dismantle these harmful dynamics, Canada must boldly confront the patriarchal ideologies that normalize women’s caregiving burdens while ignoring the dangers they face in those roles. Recognizing matricide as a distinct and gendered form of femicide is not just an academic exercise—it is a political imperative. Addressing this violence requires systemic changes in mental health services, risk assessment protocols, and caregiver support systems, paired with a broader cultural shift that challenges the gendered assumptions perpetuating this violence.
Women deserve to be seen, heard, and protected—not just as mothers, but as individuals whose lives hold intrinsic value beyond their caregiving roles. Ending matricide means dismantling the structures of power and silence that allow it to persist. It is time to center mothers’ voices, prioritize their safety, and hold both perpetrators and the systems that fail them accountable. Only then can Canada move towards a society where no mother fears violence from her son, and every woman’s life is valued and protected.