Position Statements

Sexual violence is power-based, gender-based, structurally supported and, therefore, political. Unity strengthens our coalition and our member organizations.  Read our positions on topics connected to sexual violence.

  • Recognizing the expertise of Black, Indigenous and people of color communities in sexual violence support work and violence prevention

    Anyone can experience sexual violence. Even so, sexual violence can’t be separated from a broader context—one in which the person who is victimized, the person who has caused harm, and [...]

    Published On: March 12, 2024

  • Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC): December 6: the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in 2023

      Violence can affect anyone—but the events of December 6, 1989 made clear that violent victimization is often gendered. On December 6, 1989, a gunman killed 14 women at Montreal’s [...]

    Published On: December 5, 2023

  • Supporting 2SLGBTQQIA+ inclusion and confronting transphobia and homophobia: OCRCC responds

      Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary (2SLGBTQQIA+[1]) rights are facing escalating intolerance in Canada, and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community is facing serious expressions of hate.   [...]

    Published On: September 21, 2023

  • Hockey Canada and sexual violence: Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) responds

    Hockey Canada continues to face critical reaction to its management of sexual violence. The sports organization – which is responsible for establishing rules and standards, promoting the sport, and international [...]

    Published On: October 11, 2022

  • Papal apology to Indigenous Peoples in Canada: OCRCC responds

    In a visit across Canada, Pope Francis asked for "forgiveness in the name of the church" for its part in Canada's residential school system, the church’s attempts to erase Indigenous [...]

    Published On: August 8, 2022

  • U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, impacting the right to abortion: OCRCC responds

    The U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion, upheld for nearly half a century, no longer exists. We at [...]

    Published On: July 4, 2022

  • Supreme Court rules extreme intoxication defence available for violent crimes: OCRCC responds

    The Supreme court has ruled that extreme intoxication is an available defence for violent crimes. As sexual violence survivor advocates, we at Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) are [...]

    Published On: May 18, 2022

  • Violence impacting the Black community: OCRCC responds

    This past weekend in Buffalo, N.Y, ten people were fatally shot at a neighborhood supermarket. This incident was a targeted act of violence in which the offender researched local demographics, [...]

    Published On: May 18, 2022

  • Bill 251, Combating Human Trafficking Act, 2021: Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres responds

    About us Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is comprised of 30+ Anglophone community-based sexual assault centres from across Ontario. Member centres have been supporting survivors of sexual violence since [...]

    Published On: July 14, 2021

  • Our Statement on Sex Work

    Introduction: About us Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is comprised of 30 Anglophone community-based sexual assault centres from across Ontario. Member centres have been supporting survivors of sexual violence [...]

    Published On: July 7, 2021

  • Violence impacting Indigenous people and communities

    In recent weeks, we have been witness to both historical and recent violence against Indigenous individuals and communities. Many of these atrocities have particularly affected Indigenous women, children, and gender-diverse people. [...]

    Published On: June 16, 2021

  • Trans, Genderqueer, Non-binary, Two Spirit and Intersex Equity Statement

    The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC) is committed to creating safer and accountable spaces for trans, genderqueer, non-binary, Two Spirit, and intersex people at our table. We are a [...]

    Published On: February 9, 2021