Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Gender-based violence doesn’t start with violence. It starts much earlier – with words, attitudes and behaviours we often brush off. Join the City of St. Albert and commit to ending violence against women, girls, and gender diverse people by learning to recognize the signs and stop gender-based violence before it begins.
There are a few ways you can help:
- The City of St. Albert has a gender-based violence prevention specialist available to support your organization, coaches and schools in thinking through how to address issues like sexual violence, consent, healthy masculinities and healthy relationships.
- Go for a walk to the St. Albert Purple Chairs, a memorial to women killed by their current or former intimate male partners and a source of information for people facing domestic violence or supporters who don’t know where to turn.
- Since supporting survivors is one of the best ways to stop the cycle of gender-based violence and most survivors go to family or friends for help first, learning the Keep it REAL method can help. Register for a free virtual workshop through Sagesse
16 Days of Activism
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual international campaign to call out and speak up about gender-based violence. It begins Nov. 25 with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on Dec. 10 with Human Rights Day.
Here are 16 things that YOU can do to make a difference:
#1 – Search #16DaysofActivism
Who is the best person to help eradicate gender-based violence? You are. Gender-based violence is wrong. Take an active role in stopping it. Search for #16DaysofActivism on social media platforms to learn more about how organizations around the world are recognizing the campaign.
#2 – Learn about gender-based violence
What is gender-based violence? It can include words, actions or attempts to hurt you or someone physically, emotionally, sexually and financially, no matter the relationship with you, in person or online. Women, girls and gender diverse people are most affected. Gender-based violence is violence that is committed against someone because of their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Learn more at:
#3 – Take care of yourself
Gender-based violence is never “just one time” or “just words”. It’s never “just” anything. It’s violence. You are not alone. As we have tough conversations about violence and abuse, please take care of yourself. You are the expert in your life. Find help at stalbert.ca/fcss
#4 – Learn about coercive control
Belittling. Love Bombing. Distorting reality. Lying. “I was just joking. Lighten up.” “Your friends don’t care for you like I do.” “You aren’t good with money; I've changed the passwords.” Coercive control behaviour is intended to isolate, exploit, and deprive a person of their independence through both physical and non-physical acts. Learn more on how to recognize coercive control at the following link: Gaslighting in Intimate Relationships
#5 – Share what you learn about femicide
In Canada in 2022, 184 women and girls were violently killed, primarily by men. One woman or girl is killed approximately every 48 hours. Femicide is defined as an intentional killing with a gender-related motivation. It is driven by discrimination against women and girls, unequal power relations, gender stereotypes or harmful social norms. Share what you learn on femicideincanada.ca with a friend. Women and girls are at an increased risk of femicide when the community in which they live is tolerant of all forms of violence against women. We must all stand against gender-based violence.
#6 – Visit the St. Albert Purple Chairs
The toll on those who are harmed by gender-based violence is significant. It’s hard on those around them, too. Find time to bundle up and go for a walk to the St. Albert Purple Chairs. They are a memorial to women killed by their current or former intimate male partners and a source of information for people facing domestic violence or their supporters who don’t know where to turn.
#7 – Talk about who is most affected
Women, girls and gender diverse people are most affected by gender-based violence. About two-thirds of First Nations (64%) and Métis (65%) women in Canada have experienced violent victimization in their lifetime. Share what you have learned about who is most at risk of gender-based violence with one person. Learn more at:
#8 – Understand the gender-based violence pyramid
“It’s just a joke.” But is it? Sexist “jokes” aren’t harmless. They’re the entry point to something much darker. Not all disrespect to women ends in violence but all violence stems from disrespect. Learn more about the gender-based violence pyramid.
#9 – Know who is most at-risk
Who is at a higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence? Women, girls and gender diverse people who: live with disabilities, are Indigenous, are young, are Black and racialized, are 2SLGBTQI+, live in Northern, rural, and remote communities. Learn more on the Government of Canada website
#10 – Our team can help
Nearly all young users online have seen sexist “jokes”. Classrooms, locker rooms, and playgrounds are not immune. When we laugh these “jokes” off, we teach boys that dominance is funny and girls to stay quiet. It’s not funny. Our team can help schools, community organizations and coaches make a difference with their words and actions.
#11 – Learn how to talk to your kids about gender-based violence
The best way to stop gender-based violence is to prevent it.
Learn how by watching our Gender-Based Violence Prevention Video Series
#12 – Honour the past
On the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women take a moment to remember the victims of Ecole Polytechnique shootings. Honour the past, advocate change for the future. Read their names
#13 – Understand how youth can make a difference
Youth have a role in ending gender-based violence. Learn how by watching our Gender-Based Violence Prevention Video Series
#14 – Call out sexist jokes
Every time we choose not to laugh at sexist “jokes", we break the pattern. Call it out. Respect is no joke. We need male allies who will challenge gender stereotypes and condemn violence against women in all its forms. There are ways to let someone know you don’t like their jokes or poor behaviour. To learn more, visit: aasas.ca/ending-sexual-violence/everyday-ways-to-end-sexual-violence
#15 – Practice REAL Talk
Responding to disclosures or concerns of gender-based violence can be hard if we are not prepared. Starting with, “Thank you for telling me, how can I help you?” is a respectful response.
Practice REAL Talk at stalbert.ca/family-violence
#16 – Speak out!
December 10 is Human Rights Day. In Canada we have the right to: a life of equality, dignity, respect, and a life free from discrimination. A life free of violence. Speak out against violence against women, girls and gender diverse people. Share what you have learned with your friends. Know the resources available in our community. You are the best person to help eradicate gender-based violence.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
Everyone deserves healthy relationships regardless of age, gender identity and sexual orientation. Learn the signs of a healthy and mature relationship and those of an unhealthy relationship. Download this bookmark for your own reference, share with a friend who may need support, or as a conversation starter with your teenager. Teachers and counsellors are also welcome to share it with their junior high and high school students.
Organizations, Coaches and Schools
Sports and recreation are incredible venues for fostering and nurturing pro-social values and for building character. We now know that the activities themselves don’t teach healthy, positive ideas. It’s the people and the culture within and around the activity that determine what the participants gain from their involvement. We also know that, across all sports, there have been words, actions and activities that have created harmful attitudes and behaviours.
The City of St Albert’s Family & Community Support Services has a gender-based Violence Prevention Specialist available to support your organization in thinking through how to address issues like sexual violence, consent, healthy masculinities and healthy relationships.
If your organization wants support around this issue, please contact Tuval Nafshi at tnafshi@stalbert.ca
St. Albert Purple Chairs
The City of St. Albert and St. Albert RCMP have partnered to install two purple chairs north of the Children’s Bridge on Red Willow Trail
The chairs have plaques on the arms providing help numbers for those experiencing abuse and for helpers to share including the Alberta Family Violence Info Line, Hope for Wellness Helpline for Indigenous People and Kids Help Phone.
These purple chairs are inspired by Barb’s Benches, an initiative started in Nova Scotia ten years ago to honour a woman named Barbara Baillie, who was murdered by her husband of 25 years. Each of Barb’s purple benches is a colourful memorial to women killed by their partners, as well as a source of information for people facing domestic violence who don’t know where to turn.
St. Albert Purple ChairsRelated Pages
Last edited: November 10, 2025