🗳️ Election Guides for Survivors & Community Advocates


The federal election in Canada has been called for April 28th, although you can participate in early voting starting this week.

OCTEVAW has developed a series of non-partisan, trauma-informed election guides to support survivors, frontline organizations, and communities impacted by gender-based violence in participating in the democratic process with confidence and care.

These tools are grounded in principles of equity, access, and safety—and are designed to make voting easier to understand and more inclusive.

📘 What You’ll Find in the Guides

  1. How GBV Organizations Can Engage in Elections
    Understand the dos and don’ts of advocacy during elections—especially for registered charities and nonprofits.

  2. How to Vote: An Equity-Informed Guide
    A simple, clear overview of how to register and vote in federal including accessible voting options.

  3. Trauma-Informed Voting Practices
    Tips and tools to support survivors and service providers in navigating elections in a way that centers safety and well-being.

  4. Questions to Ask Candidates
    A resource to help you assess where candidates stand on issues like gender-based violence, housing, immigration, safety, and economic justice.

Our Commitment to Non-Partisan Advocacy

The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) is a non-partisan organization based on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. We advocate for survivors of gender-based violence and for the frontline workers who support them. While we do not support or oppose any political party or candidate, we work to ensure that the voices of those most impacted by violence are heard and respected in all areas of public life—including at the ballot box.

Special thank you to OCTEVAW’s public engagement committee Chair Rosie Dixon and Shababa Huda for putting these informational resources together.

 

Click on Image to Download Guide - Voter Engagement Tool for GBV/VAW Organizations and Advocactes

Click on Image to Download Guide -Voter Information Guide for Survivors and Frontline Workers

 

We Can VOTE to End GBV

 

The Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW) proudly joins YWCA Toronto and fellow feminist organizations across Ontario in supporting the non-partisan "Vote to End Gender-Based Violence" campaign. This initiative urges political candidates to commit to concrete actions, including declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic, establishing a Gender-Based Violence Commissioner, and ensuring sustained funding for prevention and survivor support services.

Learn more about the campaign #Vote To End Gender Based Violence