The City of Brantford, in partnership with Western University and the Brant's Response Against Violence Everywhere (BRAVE) Committee, are pleased to launch Neighbours, Friends & Families: Understanding & Preventing Intimate Partner & Gender-Based Violence, a free online course to educate the community about the dynamics and warning signs of intimate partner and gender-based violence.
Developed by Western University's Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children (CREVAWC), this course explores how to talk to individuals that may be experiencing intimate partner violence and how to provide them with access to supports.
The Understanding & Preventing Intimate Partner & Gender-Based Violence course is now available online and has unlimited registration. Learning is self-directed and takes approximately an hour to complete. At the end of the course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from Western University. Registration is available at bit.ly/IPVCourse.
In October 2023, Brantford City Council joined over 100 municipalities across Ontario in declaring intimate partner and gender-based violence an epidemic. In March 2024, Brantford City Council approved the Intimate Partner and Gender-Based Violence Community Action Plan to encourage ongoing collaboration, public awareness and advocacy to end gender-based violence in all its forms in Brantford. To learn more, visit Brantford.ca/IPV.
Quotes
"The City of Brantford is committed to ensuring that everyone in our community can live a life free from violence. That's why we are proud to support individuals with this unique learning opportunity, while highlighting local resources, strengthening public awareness and promoting education around intimate partner and gender-based violence."
- Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis
"Education is a very important tool in disrupting violence in our communities. This online course provides neighbours, friends, family members and co-workers with the information they need to help prevent violence, support each other and promote safety."
- Dr. Christine Wildman, Research and Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Western University
"IPV/GBV is an epidemic and an ongoing crisis in our community to which efforts towards increased community awareness and access to local support services is critical. Ending violence in our community is a shared responsibility; it requires all of us to be engaged and informed."
- Natasha Dobler, Executive Director at Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services and Tri-Chair of the BRAVE Committee
