Gender-based violence

Information related to gender-based violence, including domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and more.

  


About domestic and intimate partner violence

Domestic violence is any violent, threatening, domineering, coercive, or controlling behaviour amongst family members, including intimate partner abuse between previous or current partners. Intimate partner violence can happen in any intimate, romantic or sexual relationship, whether married or not, common-law or dating partners, in gender-diverse relationships, and at any age—from teenagers to seniors.

Report highlights

From 2009 to 2021, New Brunswick data shows the highest rise (+39%) in intimate partner violence in Canada.

Based on the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS) data on self-reported violent victimization among Indigenous people, 37.78% of Indigenous women and 32.54% of Indigenous men experienced physical or sexual abuse since the age of 15 in New Brunswick.

In 2020/2021, 92% of New Brunswick shelter residents had experienced psychological abuse and 82% were physically abused. 32% of residents had experienced sexual abuse and 58% had been financially abused.


About sexual violence

Sexual violence is any unwelcome sexual behaviour that occurs without the person’s consent or knowledge. Sexual violence is a spectrum of behaviour that may or may not include physical contact and may or may not constitute a crime. Sexual coercion can take the form of physical force as well as psychological intimidation such as manipulation, using alcohol or drugs or threats (i.e., the threat of physical harm, sharing intimate images, or a loss of relationship).

Report highlights

Only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to police.

Girls aged 12–17 in New Brunswick are victims of sexual assault at rates approximately 30% higher than the national average.

Nationally, nearly 1 in 3 Indigenous people have experienced sexual assault since age 15.


About human trafficking

What is human trafficking? - Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, and/or harbouring of persons for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation refers to the use of tactics such as intimidation, coercion, force, threats, and deceit to manipulate victims for personal gain or profit.

From 2021-2023, New Brunswick has seen a significant increase with an additional eight (8) cases taking place.

Between 2013 and 2023, 93% of human trafficking cases involved females as the victims.

From 2013-2023, 91% of victims had some type of relationship with their trafficker. Many of them had an intimate relationship with the perpetrators (34%).