Québec, December 13, 2023. – Approximately 40% of Québec women aged 18 and over who have been in an intimate or romantic relationship have experienced at least one act of intimate partner violence in their lifetime, which represents about 1,329,500 women. This proportion is 26% for men, or about 858,400 men. Women are more likely than men to have experienced violence on a repeated basis, severe acts of violence (e.g., sexual assault or being choked), or behaviours related to coercive control. These findings come from the first edition of the Québec Survey on Intimate Partner Violence conducted in 2021–2022 among 24,499 individuals aged 18 and over.
The three forms of intimate partner violence
Among women who have been in an intimate or romantic relationship, about 35% have experienced at least one act of psychological violence, 22% at least one act of physical violence, and 17% at least one act of sexual violence. Among men, 24% have experienced at least one act of psychological violence, 13% at least one act of physical violence, and 3.4% at least one act of sexual violence.
In addition, among those who have experienced intimate partner violence, a majority of women (62%) have experienced more than one form of violence, while a majority of men have experienced a single form of violence (56%).
Women experience the most severe acts of violence
Both women and men experience intimate partner violence, but not necessarily in the same way.
Women are more likely to experience the most severe acts of intimate partner violence. For example, 13% of women have been forced to perform sex acts that they did not want to perform versus 2.1% of men, and 6% of women have been choked in their lifetime versus 1.0% of men.
Other studies also suggest that having been forced to have sex or having been choked are important risk factors for spousal homicides.
Who is most affected?
Intimate partner violence can affect everyone, but it is experienced more particularly by:
- Young women aged 18 to 29
- Those living in more disadvantaged areas
- Those who experienced violence in childhood
The multiple consequences of violence
Intimate partner violence has many consequences on the health and well-being of those affected. Among those who experienced violence in the year before the survey, women were more likely than men to have been impacted in terms of their mental health or social functioning. For instance, they were more likely than men:
- to have had at least one symptom of post-traumatic stress;
- to have felt anxious;
- to have felt on edge;
- to have been afraid of an intimate partner or ex-partner;
- to have feared for their life; and
- to have had their job performance affected.
Children’s exposure to violence
About 33% of women and 28% of men who experienced violence from an intimate partner or ex-partner in the year before the survey said that children in their household had witnessed this violence. Moreover, research shows that intimate partner violence can put children’s safety at risk and can have many consequences on their health and development.
Few victims seek help
Approximately 8 in 10 victims did not use any official services (legal services, community organizations, housing services) or see any specialists (psychologist, social worker) due to different reasons, such as the fact that they did not feel the need to, did not feel comfortable asking for help, or did not know about these services.
About the survey
The results of this survey provide the most comprehensive picture of intimate partner violence to date in Québec. Since these results cover specific aspects of intimate partner violence that can be difficult to perceive (including psychological violence, which is sometimes linked to coercive control), they are more exhaustive than police data, which focus on criminal offences and crimes reported to the police, and more exhaustive than other population-based surveys, which focus mainly on physical and sexual violence.
However, certain elements must be considered when interpreting the results. For instance, the motivations behind the acts committed are unknown; we probably had difficulty reaching individuals living under their partner’s control; and some of the individuals who participated in the survey may not remember the acts of violence they experienced or may not be able to recognize them.
Although there is no perfect instrument for measuring a phenomenon as complex as intimate partner violence in a population-based survey, the Québec Survey on Intimate Partner Violence will help advance knowledge on this issue.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.