Overview

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is complex and does not have one straightforward definition. The conflicting definitions of GBV can have significant implications on how GBV is addressed. As such, this page presents:

• The different contexts and ways GBV can manifest.
• An overview on dominant definitions of GBV.
• The legal implications of how GBV is conceptualized, with attention to the case of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the Canadian legal system.

Types of GBV

The complexity of GBV is made clear by the varying ways it manifests. For instance:

• Physical Violence
• Verbal Violence
• Psychological Violence
• Sexual Violence
• Socioeconomic Violence
• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
• Sexual Harassment

Note the aforementioned types of GBV are not mutually exclusive and often occur concurrently. As a result, defining GBV is difficult. A singular definition often cannot adequately account for the complexities of GBV.

Overview of Dominant Definitions of GBV