Sexual Violence: Rural realities

While all survivors of violence face barriers to getting the support they need, rural survivors of sexual violence face concerns that urban survivors do not.

Sexual violence is easily hidden in vast communities were women are isolated from loved ones and one another. Complex safety issues exist. Sexual violence carries particular stigma, and rural women are seen as violating community norms by their peers or families if they disclose their experiences. Last, services meant to support survivors (i.e. police reporting, courts, counselling services), may be fewer and farther away from rural households in these geographic regions.

Read more about the realities of sexual violence in rural communities in Ontario here:

Many thanks to OCRCC member Women’s Sexual Assault Support Centre of Renfrew County for this review!

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

  • Sexual Violence Advocacy and Campus Communities in Ontario

    Sexual violence can happen anywhere. Yet, colleges and universities in Canada are home to those who are at the highest statistical risk of experiencing sexual violence. Read the brief here. [...]

  • 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 [...]

  • 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 [...]