Global Data Count Results - Alberta Council of Women's Shelters

THE GLOBAL COUNTThe United Nations Declaration on theElimination of Violence against Women (1993)defines the term violence against women inArticle 1 as “Any act of gender‐based violencethat results in, or is likely to result in, physical,sexual or psychological harm or suffering towomen, including threats of such acts, coercionor arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whetheroccurring in public or in private life”.The 2012 Global Count is a snapshot of one dayin the lives of women seeking refuge atwomen’s shelters around the world. It is thefourth census conducted by the Global Networkof Women’s Shelters. Formed in 2008, itsinternational membership is a united body,speaking with one voice, with the commonpurpose to support and strengthen thewomen’s shelter network; and, to advocate forthe creation and implementation of socialpolicy and social values that will end violenceand oppression against women and theirchildren.Each year, the number of participatingcountries and agencies has expanded. Thegrowing number of participating countriesshows both the strength of our movement, andour dedication to bringing forward informationthat can help to focus efforts on preventing allforms of domestic violence.With each count, we have a clearerrepresentation of the scope of the issue in ourcommunities.Year Number of ParticipatingCountries2009 242010 302011 362012 44The Global Count is only one of our individualand collective efforts to bring about change.Women’s shelters have been at the forefront ofprevention activities including public educationand national campaigns that highlight theimpact of domestic violence in ourcommunities. We have successfully lobbied ourgovernments to enact effective legislation toprotect women and children and haveadvocated with the courts and lawenforcement agencies to ensure that it isenforced.We have yet to capture the full extent ofviolence against women and children existing inour communities. The Global Count does notinclude information gathered from everycountry, let alone every woman’s shelter. Wemust therefore emphasize that our numbers forthe day are incomplete. Many more womenand children may have sought safe shelter, orsadly found nowhere to go. Their stories haveyet to be told.Sincerely,Global Network of Women’s SheltersGlobal Data Count 2012ii