New gun law protections target domestic violence, but real prevention must start earlier – The Conversation

 

Report on Firearm Legislation and Intimate Partner Violence in Canada: An SDG Perspective

Introduction: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

This report examines the critical intersection of firearm control, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The presence of firearms in cases of IPV significantly increases the lethality of such violence, posing a direct challenge to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality), specifically Target 5.2 to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly Target 16.1 to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates. This analysis evaluates Canada’s legislative response, Bill C-21, and outlines the necessity of a broader, systemic approach to meet these global targets.

The Link Between Firearm Access and IPV Fatalities

Statistical evidence from Canada underscores the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable populations and advance SDG targets on safety and gender equality.

• The presence of a gun in a home is one of the most significant predictors of fatal IPV.
• In intimate partner homicides, 62% of cases involved legally owned shotguns and rifles.
• Victims of IPV are five times more likely to be killed when a violent partner has access to a firearm.
• This risk is disproportionately higher for racialized women and those in rural areas, highlighting a failure to meet SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Legislative Interventions: Bill C-21

In an effort to strengthen institutional responses (SDG 16), the Canadian government enacted Bill C-21, which introduces specific measures to mitigate firearm-related IPV.

Key Measures of Bill C-21

• “Red Flag” Emergency Prohibition Orders: Courts can immediately remove firearms for up to 30 days from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others, with the possibility of extension. This measure directly supports SDG 16.1 by aiming to prevent violence and death.
• Temporary Licence Suspensions: As of March 2025, chief firearms officers can suspend firearm licences for up to 30 days in cases of potential risk, including domestic violence. During this period, individuals cannot use, purchase, or import firearms.

While these measures represent progress, they are insufficient on their own to address the systemic nature of IPV and fully realize the goals of SDG 5 and SDG 16.

Limitations of a Solely Legislative Framework

A comprehensive strategy requires addressing the root causes of violence. The limitations of focusing solely on firearm legislation are threefold:

1. Existing Criminalization is Insufficient: IPV is already criminalized, yet its prevalence continues. This indicates that legal penalties alone do not address the underlying drivers of violence. To achieve SDG 5, IPV must be treated as a public health crisis (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) and a human rights violation, not just a criminal matter.
2. Significant Under-Reporting of IPV: An estimated 80% of spousal violence incidents are not reported to police due to fear, stigma, and lack of trust in institutions. This systemic barrier prevents legal safeguards from being activated and undermines the effectiveness of justice systems as envisioned in SDG 16.
3. Potential for Weapon Substitution: Without holistic interventions that enable survivors to safely leave abusive situations, perpetrators may resort to other lethal methods, such as strangulation, blunt force, or stabbing. Restricting firearms without addressing the perpetrator’s intent and the survivor’s vulnerability fails to comprehensively reduce violence-related death rates (SDG 16.1).

Recommendations for a Comprehensive, SDG-Aligned Strategy

To effectively combat IPV and make meaningful progress on the SDGs, Canada must adopt a multi-faceted approach that complements legislative reform with robust social and systemic supports.

Policy and Support System Enhancements

• Recognize Femicide as a Distinct Offence: Amending the Criminal Code to classify femicide as a specific crime would formally acknowledge the gendered nature of this violence, aligning with the core principles of SDG 5.
• Declare IPV a National Epidemic: A formal declaration, as made by several provinces and municipalities, would elevate the issue to a public health priority (SDG 3) and mobilize a coordinated, cross-sectoral response.
• Invest in Trauma-Informed Survivor Supports: Achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) requires sustained funding for critical services, including:
  • Legal navigation assistance.
  • Access to safe and affordable housing (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
  • Financial support to empower survivors to leave abusive environments.
• Enhance Support During Post-Separation Periods: Recognizing that the risk of fatal violence increases by 75% when a survivor attempts to leave, long-term, well-resourced support systems are essential to ensure safety and well-being, directly contributing to the reduction of violence and death rates as mandated by SDG 16.1.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is intimate partner violence (IPV), a form of gender-based violence that disproportionately affects women. It highlights how the presence of firearms increases the lethality of IPV, noting that victims are “five times more likely to be killed” and that the risk is even higher for “racialized women.” The discussion around recognizing “femicide” as a distinct criminal offense further solidifies the connection to achieving gender equality and eliminating violence against women.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on reducing violence, reforming legislation, and improving access to justice. The analysis of “Bill C-21” and its “red flag” laws is a direct examination of institutional efforts to reduce firearm violence. The article also critiques the justice system’s limitations, pointing out that IPV is “significantly under-reported” due to a “lack of trust in police,” which speaks to the need for more effective and trusted institutions and better access to justice for survivors.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article explicitly frames IPV as a “public health issue” and a “national crisis.” It mentions the need for “trauma- and violence-informed supports” for survivors, which relates to mental health and well-being. The call for provinces and municipalities to declare IPV an “epidemic” reinforces the perspective of treating this form of violence as a critical public health risk that requires a systemic response to prevent injury and premature death.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article connects to this goal by highlighting the need for safe living environments, particularly for women. It points out that women living “in a rural area” face higher risks, indicating disparities in safety based on community type. Furthermore, the call for “access to safe and affordable housing” for survivors is a key component of creating safe and inclusive communities where individuals can escape violence.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article is entirely focused on this target, discussing the prevalence, lethality, and systemic nature of intimate partner violence against women in the private sphere (the home).
• Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The analysis of Canada’s Bill C-21, which includes specific measures to address IPV and gender-based violence, is a direct example of this target in action. The article also advocates for further policy reforms, such as recognizing femicide in the Criminal Code.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The core argument of the article is that firearm control is necessary to reduce the death rate from intimate partner violence, as having a gun in the home is “one of the strongest predictors that intimate partner violence (IPV) will turn fatal.”
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights barriers to justice, noting that 80% of spousal violence is unreported due to fear and lack of trust. It also points to the need for survivors to receive assistance “navigating the legal system,” which directly relates to improving access to justice.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The focus on preventing “intimate partner homicides” is a direct effort to reduce premature mortality from violence. The call for “trauma- and violence-informed supports” addresses the mental health and well-being aspect of this target.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The article identifies the need for “access to safe and affordable housing” as a critical support that “enables survivors to leave abusive relationships before the violence escalates to a fatal level.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Indicator (Implied): Prevalence and incidence of intimate partner violence. The article provides statistics such as “police-reported incidents rising slightly in recent years” and an estimation that “about 80 per cent of spousal violence incidents in Canada are never reported.” These figures can be used to measure the scope of the problem.
• Indicator (Implied): Number of intimate partner homicides, particularly those involving firearms. The article states that “62 per cent of cases involved shotguns and rifles” and that victims are “five times more likely to be killed” when a gun is present. Tracking these numbers would measure progress in reducing the most lethal forms of IPV.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Indicator (Implied): Homicide rate, specifically the rate of femicide or intimate partner homicide. The entire article is geared towards reducing these deaths, making this a primary indicator of progress.
• Indicator (Implied): Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities. The article’s statistic that “about 80 per cent of spousal violence incidents… are never reported to police” directly corresponds to this indicator and highlights a major area for improvement.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator (Mentioned): Adoption of national policies or strategies to address a public health issue. The article mentions that some provinces and municipalities have taken the step of “declaring IPV an epidemic,” which serves as a policy-level indicator of recognizing and managing a national health risk.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Indicator (Implied): Availability of and access to safe housing and emergency shelters for survivors of violence. The article’s call for “safe and affordable housing” and its inclusion of an image from an “emergency shelter for women” imply that the capacity and funding of these services are key metrics for ensuring community safety.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	Number of intimate partner homicides involving firearms (e.g., “62 per cent of cases involved shotguns and rifles”).
	5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation.	Implementation of specific legislation aimed at protecting women from violence (e.g., “Bill C-21” and its “red flag” orders).
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.	Death rate from intimate partner violence (e.g., victims are “five times more likely to be killed” when a gun is present).
	16.3: Ensure equal access to justice for all.	Proportion of violence victims who report to authorities (e.g., “about 80 per cent of spousal violence incidents… are never reported to police”).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Reduce premature mortality… and promote mental health and well-being.	Mortality rate from homicide/IPV; availability of “trauma- and violence-informed supports.”
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing.	Availability of and access to “safe and affordable housing” and emergency shelters for survivors.

Source: theconversation.com