The experience and impact of intimate partner violence

The experience and impact of intimate partner violence

November 25 marked the start of the 12 Days of Action to End Violence against Women,1 an initiative to raise awareness of the scourge of gender-based violence. The APTS took the occasion to talk with Ingrid Falaise, multimedia artist and author of the bestselling book Le Monstre, who was generous enough to discuss her own experience of intimate partner violence and offer insights that foster greater understanding of the issue as well as a sense of solidarity.

 

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Intimate partner violence and the workplace

Did you know that your employer is obliged to take action to protect any employee whom they know, or ought reasonably to know, is exposed to physical or psychological violence (including spousal, family or sexual violence) in the workplace?2 This obligation is spelled out in the Act respecting occupational health and safety, which means your employer can’t argue that intimate partner violence is a private matter and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Because it has such a profound effect on the victims, as well as on their families and loved ones, we need to express our solidarity and join forces to make sure victims of intimate partner violence get the support they need. We can make this commitment to our fellow employees in our workplaces with the help of the APTS educational tool Intimate partner violence and the workplace.

10 days of paid leave

Escaping a situation that is endangering a person’s safety and the safety of their children often requires planning in order to find housing, care, and legal assistance, among other things. An inter-union women’s association, the Intersyndicale des femmes, argues that 10 days of paid leave to deal with these issues is a crucial measure to ensure that victims aren’t subject to loss of salary as they try to make the move to a safe environment. To learn more, read the opinion piece on the topic by the Intersyndicale des femmes.

1 12 Days of Action to End Violence against Women

2Act respecting occupational health and safety, section 51, 2022. When an employee is doing telework, the location at which they are working is considered a workplace under the Act (section 5.1).

BY LEÏLA ASSELMAN | WITH ÉLAINE GIROUX | DECEMBER 8, 2022