In Lanark County, Ontario, as in many communities in Canada, intimate partner and family violence are urgent issues demanding our collective attention. While these forms of violence can impact anyone, women and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected, underscoring the critical need for effective support systems and preventive measures.
The tragic events of September 22, 2015, when three women were murdered by the same former partner in Renfrew County, serve as a stark reminder of the gravity of this issue. These women, who had no connection to each other outside of their shared abuser, faced a horrific fate due to repeated warnings and red flags that went unaddressed. The devastating effects of such violence extend far beyond the immediate victims, profoundly impacting their families, friends, and the broader community.
Since expanding into Lanark County in October of 2022, Shelter Movers Ottawa has continued to assess and respond to the specific needs of the rural community.
Unique Strengths and Challenges
In rural areas like Lanark County, intimate partner violence rates are 75% higher than in urban settings. Unfortunately, survivors in these areas often face unique challenges, such as limited access to relocation services, a high bar for buy-in when seeking support from friends and family, and a lack of privacy due to the lower population density. In many cases, survivors may fear that local authorities, who likely know their abuser, won’t take their concerns seriously, which can make reaching out for help even more daunting.
Even aspects of rural living that many consider a strength, such as the important roles of religion and hunting traditions, can contribute to feelings of isolation and heightened risk within an otherwise deeply interconnected community. Attending church, where teachings may sometimes support the importance of maintaining marital bonds above all else, can create a second space of trauma for survivors who already aren’t safe at home. Increased access to firearms can not only intensify the power struggles innate within abusive relationships, but increase the risk of lethal outcomes.
The isolation and stigma surrounding intimate partner and family violence in close-knit communities consistently complicate already challenging scenarios. Survivors often feel trapped by a lack of resources and support, with no vehicle, no access to public transportation, limited funds, and even limited internet access, all culminating in an unclear path out of their situation. Even for survivors who may consider themselves financially secure and socially supported, the emotional and practical challenges of leaving an abusive situation can be insurmountable as many abusers will make a survivor’s options seem bleak.
A Less Visible Ripple Effect
Intimate partner and family violence not only affects the immediate survivors, but also has a ripple effect on children, extended family members, and the community at large. In times of crisis, survivors often rely on temporary stays with friends or family, facing constant uncertainty and hidden instability. Limited alternatives and fear of judgment put pressure on survivors to be selective in who they ask for help and when.
While overcrowded shelters and increased news coverage are common signs of high levels of intimate partner and family violence in urban areas, violence in rural communities often remains less visible due to ingrained traditional views and ways of life. In rural areas, conventional family roles—such as men as the primary breadwinners and women as homemakers—often frame intimate partner and family violence as a private matter rather than a public concern. These trends impact survivors generationally as well, creating a foundation of trauma that is perpetuated in the community.
When rural survivors do have the courage to seek help or leave an abusive situation, it’s not always feasible to go very far. As we can see in the instance of the Renfrew murders, leaving an abuser does not always end the violence. For many survivors, relocating a significant distance from their rural community would be one of the few choices that might give them anonymity from their abuser. Even then, Canadian women are six times more likely to be killed by an ex-spouse than by a current legally married spouse (Sinha, 2013), making it imperative that communities support a survivor’s efforts to move on to a life of safety, no matter how far they go.
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To counter gender-based and family violence effectively, solutions must be integrated into the way a community functions. As community members, local leaders, and organizations unite to raise awareness, support survivors, and advocate for stronger policies and funding for essential services, intentional decisions must be made about how to make lasting changes in a community’s culture. Awareness is growing, but our work has just begun.
Lanark County residents offer an intimate knowledge of its cultural norms and social dynamics, making their participation essential in tailoring interventions that will resonate with and be practical for local survivors. Community involvement in the development of solutions also fosters trust, which is vital for encouraging survivors to embrace services and resources as they become available. Additionally, community backing also ensures that solutions can be both responsive to meet evolving needs and sustainable.
Communities like Lanark County have deep-rooted connections and generational ties that can make leaving an abusive situation even more challenging than it already is. Survivors can feel torn between their safety and their sense of home, weighed down by the loss of familiar surroundings and personal belongings. Shelter Movers offers survivors free moving and storage services so survivors can make the move to safety. Volunteers local to Lanark County are crucial to these services, ensuring we can meet survivors where they are. By coming together and addressing these concerns with empathy and action, we are choosing to create safer, more supportive communities.