Advocates and police forces in Ontario are increasingly investigating killings of women and girls as femicides, leading to calls for a formal definition of the term to be embedded in Canada's Criminal Code. This change would improve data collection and prevention efforts, aligning with Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposal to crack down on intimate partner violence.
‘Uphill battle’: Criminal Code must include definition for femicide, advocates say
HomicideGender-based crimeFemicideCrime
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Advocates and police forces in Ontario are increasingly investigating killings of women and girls as femicides, leading to calls for a formal definition of the term to be embedded in Canada's Criminal Code. This change would improve data collection and prevention efforts, aligning with Prime Minister Mark Carney's proposal to crack down on intimate partner violence.
Trending- 1 2018: Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability began tracking killings of women and girls.
- 2 Late 2019: Ontario Association of Interval Houses identified five femicides in Kingston since this time.
- 3 August 2024: Ottawa police started using the term 'femicide.'
- 4 This year's federal election campaign: Prime Minister Mark Carney proposed cracking down on intimate partner violence.
- 5 Last month: Kingston Police logged its first use of the label 'femicide.'
- 6 Last week: Ottawa police investigated the death of a 54-year-old woman as a femicide.
- 7 Ongoing: Advocates continue to push for a definition in the Criminal Code.
- Potential legislative change to the Criminal Code
- Improved data collection on gender-based violence
- Increased public awareness
- Potential impact on how homicides are investigated and charged
What: Advocates and police forces are calling for a formal definition of 'femicide' to be included in Canada's Criminal Code.
When: August 2024 (Ottawa police started using term), last week (Ottawa police investigated a death as femicide), last month (Kingston Police logged first use), 2018 (Canadian Femicide Observatory began tracking), 2023 (Statistics Canada report), 'this year's federal election campaign' (Carney's proposal).
Where: Ontario, Ottawa, Kingston, Canada.
Why: To improve data collection on violence against women, raise awareness about gender-based violence, ensure appropriate labeling of these deaths, and enhance prevention efforts by recognizing the distinct nature of these killings.
How: Advocates are pushing for legislative change. Police forces are starting to use the term 'femicide' in investigations and news releases. Prime Minister Mark Carney proposed related legislative changes.