Root Change: Reimagining GBV Response Through Disability Justice

This report investigates the intersecting crises of gender-based violence (GBV) and systemic ableism in Canada, highlighting how women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of abuse. It details the unique vulnerabilities experienced by this population, including institutional dependency, barriers to accessing accessible crisis shelters, and a lack of disability-informed support networks. The research advocates for systemic, root-level changes that move beyond basic accessibility checklists toward fully integrated, trauma-informed resources. Ultimately, the document calls for policy reform, targeted funding, and structural changes driven directly by the lived experiences of survivors to dismantle the systemic gaps that leave individuals with disabilities exposed to systemic violence and exclusion.

Credit: DAWN CANADA

Date: December 2025