About Us

Ending Gender-Based Violence

In Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region’s Gender-Based Violence Strategy brings together organizations leading the movement for ending gender-based violence (GBV) in Waterloo Region. Our Leadership Table focuses on the root causes of GBV and works together to advocate for systemic social change.

Members are representatives from organizations leading the movement for ending-gender-based violence in Waterloo Region.

Our focus areas:

Identify community priorities for ending gender-based violence and advocate for systemic social change
Facilitate information-sharing and regular communication between the Service Coordination Committees, Ad-hoc Task Groups, Affiliated Groups, and the Coalition for Ending-Gender-Based Violence in Waterloo Region
Create and monitor the progress of Ad-hoc Task Groups
Promote opportunities for the broader community to be engaged in ending gender-based violence by convening the Coalition for Ending Gender-Based Violence in Waterloo Region

Our Model

Our History

In recent years, key organizations and committees dedicated to ending gender-based violence in Waterloo Region joined forces to enhance collaboration. An independent consultant was hired and and worked with a Steering Committee to develop a community strategy. Through surveys and interviews, key priorities were identified including:

Ongoing collaboration on issues like human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
Advocacy for larger, systemic change.
Clear priorities, open communication, and community involvement.
Leadership by survivor advocates.

Survivor consultations highlighted needs for education on all forms of abuse, family law reform, affordable support, and offender programs. Drawing from other successful collaborations, a new model was developed (shown above), creating a more integrated, community-driven, and impactful response to gender-based violence.