Surrey hosts forum to fight gender-based violence, spotlighting local solutions, survivor support, and coordinated community action.
Surrey Gathers to Confront Gender-Based Violence
Surrey, B.C. – Yesterday, City Hall became a hub of action and discussion as Surrey welcomed front-line workers, community partners, and experts for a crucial forum on gender-based violence. The goal? Raise awareness, share insights, and strengthen collaboration to tackle what Mayor Brenda Locke calls a growing crisis impacting public safety and health.
“Gender-based violence is not a private matter — it affects families and communities every day,” said Mayor Locke. “By working closely with community partners, we’re committed to keeping this conversation alive and taking action to protect women and gender-diverse people across Surrey.”
Alarming Statistics Highlight Urgency
Mayor Locke underscored the scale of the crisis: in Canada, a woman is killed every 48 hours, and nearly half of women in B.C. report experiencing intimate partner violence. Indigenous women face an even greater risk, being six times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women. These numbers emphasize why urgent, community-wide responses are necessary.
Homegrown Solutions and Front-Line Efforts
Speakers shared innovative “made in Surrey” strategies, including safety audits of public spaces and the push for standardized risk-assessment tools for police and health services. The forum also honoured the tireless work of front-line responders, forensic nurses, and community organizations dedicated to supporting survivors and ending gender-based violence.
“Preventing gender-based violence requires everyone to collaborate — from public safety and health services to housing and community partners,” said Brian Edwards, Surrey’s General Manager of Public Safety. “This forum strengthens our shared commitment to early intervention, survivor-focused support, and coordinated action to keep people safe.”
Challenges and Legislative Progress
Panelists also addressed ongoing hurdles. Housing shortages and legal gaps can allow coercive control to persist even after separation. Recent legislative steps, such as the Protecting Victims Act (2025), were highlighted as important advances, though experts noted that more work remains to protect survivors fully.
Spotlight on Community Resources
The event celebrated Surrey’s extensive network of support services. Organizations like the Surrey Women’s Centre, Atira, Elizabeth Fry Society, Options, YMCA, Pacific Community Resources Society, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, and the Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) were featured, alongside long-standing partnerships with groups such as the Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR).
Leaders from local and province-wide anti-violence and housing organizations joined the forum, sharing insights and reinforcing the city’s commitment to a unified response.
Leaders Stand Together
A group photo captured the dedication of key voices in the fight against gender-based violence, including:
- Wendy Potter, Ending Violence Association of BC
- Amy Fitzgerald, BC Society of Transition Houses
- Councillor Pardeep Kooner, City of Surrey
- Vera LeFranc, Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships
- Natalie Klaver, Surrey Police Service
- Samantha Grey, Surrey Women’s Centre
- Mayor Brenda Locke, City of Surrey
- Shana Slater, Shelter Movers
- Sarah McIntosh, Surrey Vulnerable Women and Girls Working Group
- Winston Sayson, KC, LLB
- Councillor Rob Stutt, City of Surrey
Surrey’s forum serves as a powerful reminder: combating gender-based violence demands awareness, community engagement, and continuous, coordinated action.
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