Safe & Strong
Gender-Based Violence, Anti-Black Racism, and Mental Health Access in the GTHA
Research conducted: 2021–2022
Public release: 2026
In 2021, the Ontario Learning Development Foundation (OLDF) conducted the Safe & Strong research project to examine how gender-based violence (GBV) intersects with anti-Black racism and barriers to mental health services for Black girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals (12+) in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area.
Using surveys, interviews, and focus groups, the study centered lived experiences and community voices to identify both systemic barriers and actionable solutions.
This page shares the full research report, policy brief, and community summary.
What We Found
• 46.3% of participants reported experiencing gender-based violence since COVID-19 began.
• 73.1% of participants aged 12–24 reported lifetime experiences of GBV.
• Racism shapes whether survivors are believed, supported, or protected.
• Many participants knew services existed, but institutional distrust and culturally unsafe experiences limited access to mental health care.
Participants described being dismissed, stereotyped, or not taken seriously when seeking help.
Barriers were not simply about stigma — they were about systemic design.
What Needs to Change
The research identifies five priority areas for policy and institutional reform:
- Mandatory, age-appropriate GBV education across Ontario schools.
- Expanded access to protective orders beyond marital/common-law status.
- Increased funding for culturally safe, Black-led service providers.
- Proactive community awareness and prevention strategies.
- Improved legal advocacy and survivor navigation supports.
Download the Research
Full Research Report (2026 Release)
Safe & Strong: Final Report
Policy Brief (2026 Release)
Protecting Black Girls, Women & Gender-Diverse Individuals from GBV in Ontario
Community Summary (2026 Release)
Safe & Strong Findings for Participants and Stakeholders
Conference Presentation Slides
Support Resources
If you or someone you know needs support:
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
• Shelter line: 416-929-0511
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Partner With Us
OLDF welcomes collaboration with schools, service providers, policymakers, and community organizations to advance culturally safe violence prevention, survivor supports, and institutional accountability.
Contact: support@oldf.org
Funding Acknowledgement
This project was funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) and the Canadian Women’s Foundation. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.