Gaslighting & Domestic Violence + Important Dates

January 29, 2021

We are well into the first quarter of 2021. While Covid-19 restrictions didn’t end when 2020 did, everyone here at Connect and Women’s Resources Centres across Nova Scotia hopes that 2021 is filled with much hope and joy for each of you.

There seems to be a theme to February’s days of observation - personal rights:

Students have a right not to be bullied.
Families have a right to safety in their homes.
People have a right to sexual and reproductive health.
People have a right to live without racism.

This month we recognize many important days. Each one - unique and in its own way - offers an opportunity to provide care, to make a change, to take action that can change how 2021 turns out for you and others.

As you read through our list below of important days, consider what you can do, how you can improve your life - or the life of someone you may not even know - by lobbying, advocating, or simply sharing links to the websites and campaigns.

Women continue to be the predominant victims of domestic violence in Nova Scotia, with 72% being women and 22% being men.
In 2018, the rate of police-reported incidents of domestic violence against females was over 3 times higher than the rate of police-reported instances of domestic violence against males.
In at least 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America, female genital mutilation is still practised.
1 in 3 women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.
In Canada, at least 1 in 3 adolescent students have reported being bullied. Bullying occurs once every seven minutes on the playground and once every 25 minutes in the classroom.