GITNUXREPORT 2025

Intimate Partner Violence Canada Statistics

Canadian IPV affects one in three women; urgent prevention and support needed.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

25% of IPV victims experience economic abuse, which includes control over finances and withholding resources

Statistic 2

The economic cost of IPV in Canada is estimated to be over $7 billion annually, including healthcare, legal, and productivity costs

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Women living in shelters report that economic dependence is a major barrier to leaving abusive relationships, with over 65% citing financial insecurity as their main concern

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Indigenous women are two times more likely to experience IPV than non-Indigenous women in Canada

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Shelters for women facing IPV in Canada report serving over 80,000 women annually

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Children are present in 60% of IPV incidents reported in Canada, increasing their risk of emotional and physical trauma

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Indigenous women are nine times more likely to experience IPV compared to non-Indigenous women

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About 40% of IPV victims in Canada are also experiencing homelessness or housing instability

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Women with disabilities face a 50% higher risk of experiencing IPV than women without disabilities

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A significant proportion of IPV survivors report persistent symptoms of PTSD even years after escaping abuse

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Female IPV victims are twice as likely to be killed by their partner compared to male victims

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Approximately 35% of IPV survivors in Canada report experiencing stalking or harassment by the same perpetrator afterward, often leading to ongoing fear

Statistic 13

Over 50% of IPV victims report experiencing ongoing fear for their safety long after initial abuse, impacting their mental health and well-being

Statistic 14

Federal and provincial programs dedicated to IPV prevention and victim support have received increased funding, totaling over $150 million annually, to address increasing needs

Statistic 15

The prevalence of IPV among refugee women in Canada is estimated to be 50% higher than among Canadian-born women, due to displacement and systemic barriers

Statistic 16

The most common form of IPV among adolescents in Canada is emotional and psychological abuse, with over 70% reporting such experiences

Statistic 17

A majority of IPV cases involve multiple forms of abuse—physical, emotional, and economic—simultaneously, in around 65% of cases

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Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in Canada have experienced some form of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during their lifetime

Statistic 19

Around 600,000 women in Canada reported experiencing IPV in 2021

Statistic 20

The rate of IPV-related homicides in Canada was approximately 0.4 per 100,000 women in 2019

Statistic 21

Over 80% of IPV victims experience some form of emotional or psychological abuse

Statistic 22

In Canada, 1 in 5 women report that their first experience of IPV occurred during pregnancy

Statistic 23

Nearly 60% of IPV victims in Canada are women aged 25-44 years

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Rates of IPV among LGBTQ+ populations in Canada are higher compared to heterosexual populations, estimated at 50% lifetime prevalence

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Approximately 50% of women murdered in Canada are killed by intimate partners

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The majority of IPV incidents in Canada occur in private residences, accounting for over 70% of reported cases

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Canadian men account for approximately 20% of IPV-related homicidal deaths

Statistic 28

IPV-related emergency department visits in Canada increase every year, with over 50,000 cases recorded in 2020

Statistic 29

Women aged 45-64 in Canada have the highest prevalence of IPV, with over 15% reporting past-year abuse

Statistic 30

The prevalence of intimate partner violence is higher among low-income populations in Canada, affecting up to 20% of women in poverty

Statistic 31

IPV victimization rates are consistently higher in rural areas compared to urban settings in Canada, with some studies citing up to 25% prevalence

Statistic 32

In 2018, Canada saw a decrease in IPV-related homicides compared to previous years, with a rate of roughly 0.45 per 100,000 women

Statistic 33

About 25% of male IPV victims experience violence primarily from female partners, highlighting that IPV affects all genders

Statistic 34

Over the past decade, the number of IPV-related calls to Canadian police has increased by 15%, reflecting growing awareness or incidence

Statistic 35

Female youth aged 15-24 are experiencing increasing rates of IPV, with some surveys indicating a rise of up to 10% over five years

Statistic 36

The average age at first experience of IPV among women in Canada is approximately 22 years old, highlighting early exposure to violence

Statistic 37

The rate of IPV-related police-reported incidents in Canada is highest in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with over 300 incidents per 100,000 population annually

Statistic 38

Between 2015 and 2022, reports of IPV increased by approximately 10% annually across Canada, indicating a rising trend or increased reporting

Statistic 39

About 78% of female victims of IPV did not report their abuse to authorities

Statistic 40

The average duration of IPV from onset to seeking help is approximately 3 years

Statistic 41

Around 30% of women seeking help after IPV reported physical injuries

Statistic 42

Only 25% of perpetrators of IPV are corresponding to legal action, suggesting underreporting or insufficient legal responses

Statistic 43

Approximately 60% of IPV victims in Canada do not seek any external help due to fear, shame, or lack of resources

Statistic 44

Over 75% of IPV incidents go unreported because victims fear retaliation or do not recognize the abuse

Statistic 45

In Canada, immigrant women face unique barriers to reporting IPV, with estimates suggesting less than 50% seek help

Statistic 46

Approximately 90% of IPV victims who sought help reported positive experiences with community-based support services

Statistic 47

Access to legal protections like restraining orders varies widely across provinces, with some regions reporting less than 60% successful enforcement

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in Canada have experienced some form of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during their lifetime
Around 600,000 women in Canada reported experiencing IPV in 2021
Indigenous women are two times more likely to experience IPV than non-Indigenous women in Canada
About 78% of female victims of IPV did not report their abuse to authorities
The rate of IPV-related homicides in Canada was approximately 0.4 per 100,000 women in 2019
Over 80% of IPV victims experience some form of emotional or psychological abuse
Shelters for women facing IPV in Canada report serving over 80,000 women annually
The average duration of IPV from onset to seeking help is approximately 3 years
Around 30% of women seeking help after IPV reported physical injuries
In Canada, 1 in 5 women report that their first experience of IPV occurred during pregnancy
Nearly 60% of IPV victims in Canada are women aged 25-44 years
Rates of IPV among LGBTQ+ populations in Canada are higher compared to heterosexual populations, estimated at 50% lifetime prevalence
Approximately 50% of women murdered in Canada are killed by intimate partners

Did you know that nearly one in three women and one in four men in Canada have endured some form of intimate partner violence, with Indigenous women facing double the risk and a staggering 78% of female victims never reporting their abuse?

Economic and Social Consequences of IPV

25% of IPV victims experience economic abuse, which includes control over finances and withholding resources
The economic cost of IPV in Canada is estimated to be over $7 billion annually, including healthcare, legal, and productivity costs
Women living in shelters report that economic dependence is a major barrier to leaving abusive relationships, with over 65% citing financial insecurity as their main concern

Economic and Social Consequences of IPV Interpretation

The staggering economic toll of intimate partner violence in Canada—over $7 billion annually—underscores that financial manipulation isn't just a tool of control for abusers but also a formidable barrier for women seeking safety, reminding us that economic independence is a crucial battleground in the fight against IPV.

Impact on Specific Populations

Indigenous women are two times more likely to experience IPV than non-Indigenous women in Canada
Shelters for women facing IPV in Canada report serving over 80,000 women annually
Children are present in 60% of IPV incidents reported in Canada, increasing their risk of emotional and physical trauma
Indigenous women are nine times more likely to experience IPV compared to non-Indigenous women
About 40% of IPV victims in Canada are also experiencing homelessness or housing instability
Women with disabilities face a 50% higher risk of experiencing IPV than women without disabilities
A significant proportion of IPV survivors report persistent symptoms of PTSD even years after escaping abuse
Female IPV victims are twice as likely to be killed by their partner compared to male victims
Approximately 35% of IPV survivors in Canada report experiencing stalking or harassment by the same perpetrator afterward, often leading to ongoing fear
Over 50% of IPV victims report experiencing ongoing fear for their safety long after initial abuse, impacting their mental health and well-being
Federal and provincial programs dedicated to IPV prevention and victim support have received increased funding, totaling over $150 million annually, to address increasing needs
The prevalence of IPV among refugee women in Canada is estimated to be 50% higher than among Canadian-born women, due to displacement and systemic barriers

Impact on Specific Populations Interpretation

Despite over $150 million in annual funding aimed at addressing domestic abuse, Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience IPV—and nearly nine times more likely if Indigenous—highlighting that Canada's investment still falls short of confronting deeply rooted disparities where marginalized women, children, and those with disabilities face perilous odds of violence, trauma, and ongoing fear.

Nature and Types of IPV Incidents

The most common form of IPV among adolescents in Canada is emotional and psychological abuse, with over 70% reporting such experiences
A majority of IPV cases involve multiple forms of abuse—physical, emotional, and economic—simultaneously, in around 65% of cases

Nature and Types of IPV Incidents Interpretation

In Canada, while over 70% of adolescents report experiencing emotional and psychological abuse, the disturbing reality is that nearly two-thirds of IPV cases involve a perilous cocktail of physical, emotional, and economic violence—underscoring the urgent need to address the multifaceted nature of intimate partner abuse.

Prevalence and Demographics of IPV

Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in Canada have experienced some form of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) during their lifetime
Around 600,000 women in Canada reported experiencing IPV in 2021
The rate of IPV-related homicides in Canada was approximately 0.4 per 100,000 women in 2019
Over 80% of IPV victims experience some form of emotional or psychological abuse
In Canada, 1 in 5 women report that their first experience of IPV occurred during pregnancy
Nearly 60% of IPV victims in Canada are women aged 25-44 years
Rates of IPV among LGBTQ+ populations in Canada are higher compared to heterosexual populations, estimated at 50% lifetime prevalence
Approximately 50% of women murdered in Canada are killed by intimate partners
The majority of IPV incidents in Canada occur in private residences, accounting for over 70% of reported cases
Canadian men account for approximately 20% of IPV-related homicidal deaths
IPV-related emergency department visits in Canada increase every year, with over 50,000 cases recorded in 2020
Women aged 45-64 in Canada have the highest prevalence of IPV, with over 15% reporting past-year abuse
The prevalence of intimate partner violence is higher among low-income populations in Canada, affecting up to 20% of women in poverty
IPV victimization rates are consistently higher in rural areas compared to urban settings in Canada, with some studies citing up to 25% prevalence
In 2018, Canada saw a decrease in IPV-related homicides compared to previous years, with a rate of roughly 0.45 per 100,000 women
About 25% of male IPV victims experience violence primarily from female partners, highlighting that IPV affects all genders
Over the past decade, the number of IPV-related calls to Canadian police has increased by 15%, reflecting growing awareness or incidence
Female youth aged 15-24 are experiencing increasing rates of IPV, with some surveys indicating a rise of up to 10% over five years
The average age at first experience of IPV among women in Canada is approximately 22 years old, highlighting early exposure to violence
The rate of IPV-related police-reported incidents in Canada is highest in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with over 300 incidents per 100,000 population annually
Between 2015 and 2022, reports of IPV increased by approximately 10% annually across Canada, indicating a rising trend or increased reporting

Prevalence and Demographics of IPV Interpretation

Despite Canada's progress in awareness, the startling reality that approximately one in three women and one in four men have endured intimate partner violence—most often in private and with devastating consequences—serves as a sobering reminder that behind the statistics lie lives still grappling with the shadow of violence, regardless of age, income, or gender.

Reporting, Help-Seeking, and Legal Protections

About 78% of female victims of IPV did not report their abuse to authorities
The average duration of IPV from onset to seeking help is approximately 3 years
Around 30% of women seeking help after IPV reported physical injuries
Only 25% of perpetrators of IPV are corresponding to legal action, suggesting underreporting or insufficient legal responses
Approximately 60% of IPV victims in Canada do not seek any external help due to fear, shame, or lack of resources
Over 75% of IPV incidents go unreported because victims fear retaliation or do not recognize the abuse
In Canada, immigrant women face unique barriers to reporting IPV, with estimates suggesting less than 50% seek help
Approximately 90% of IPV victims who sought help reported positive experiences with community-based support services
Access to legal protections like restraining orders varies widely across provinces, with some regions reporting less than 60% successful enforcement

Reporting, Help-Seeking, and Legal Protections Interpretation

Despite the stark reality that most Canadian women endure intimate partner violence in silence, with underreported cases, delayed help seeking, and inconsistent legal protections, those who do seek support often find community resources helpful—highlighting the urgent need for systemic change that ensures safety, accountability, and accessible justice for all victims.