Making Change Report: WISE Ottawa

If there are safer environments everywhere and more educated people to know what violence against women looks like, then wouldn’t violence against women be reduced? This is the theory of WISE Ottawa, a non-profit group located in the nation’s capital.

Violence against women is prevalent in our society with assault, rape, workplace violence, sexism and other incidents occurring throughout the city in its many workplaces, organizations, and homes. WISE Ottawa is attempting to address the root cause of these issues and make an impact through education, audits, community outreach and local activism.

Their unique approach to helping women and the overall community is an effective tool that has brought about real change and a new way of addressing the issues that women face daily, most notably as the victims of violence.  Over thirty years ago, a few local women met to discuss the issue of sexual assaults in downtown Ottawa. Realizing that there was a growing problem within the community, they decided to act and do something about it. This small group formed a committee which, after receiving support funding from the city, became a non-profit organization. Over time, WISE Ottawa created programs that looked to make activities and zones around the city safer through specific safety audits using a free checklist made available to the public.

The organization looks at risk factors to violence such as poverty and homelessness to analyze how unsafe spaces play a direct role in violence against women. Through safety audits and statistical analysis, we know that more than 13% of women live in poverty, are twice as likely to work in minimum wage jobs and have a lack of stable housing (FAFIA, 2016).  A major focus of WISE Ottawa is to encourage youth and community members to own their neighborhoods and create safe spaces for each other. It is through this empowerment method that they have been most effective in engaging the community to take notice of the issue of violence against women. 

Being told not to walk in a certain area of the city at night or to always walk in pairs is victim-blaming and disguises the real issue, that there are predators out there who are rarely held accountable by the justice system (Doe, 2003, p. 545). Leading the effort to make our community a safer place for all, it is during events like Take Back the Night where WISE Ottawa shines while displaying a moving pledge of solidarity to those who thought they had no voice and were alone in their suffering.

Violence against women affects everyone, including men. Heroes for Tomorrow is a program that looks to educate young boys and men about their important role in society and how to understand the history of violence against women so that they can prevent it. By educating men on the serious safety issues that women often face and empowering men to play a leading role in the reduction of these harms is an important strategy that will greatly impact our society. On the WISE Ottawa website, they utilize a blog that shares stories of the people that have accessed their services and release impactful videos that educate the public on what domestic violence looks like and ways to intervene.

Inspirational stories are featured on their blog about change-making women in Canada includes politicians, professors, consultants, and advocates. Whether it is teaching women how to fix a bike or showing them how to conduct basic maintenance of their vehicles, they want to inspire greatness and build confidence in everyone that reaches out to them. WISE Ottawa has made a substantial community impact through its contribution to local activism and social justice while embodying the core values echoed in its mission statement – Safer for Women, Safer for All!

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Doe, J. (2003). “The ultimate rape victim.” In M. Hobbs & C. Rice (Eds), Gender and women’s studies in Canada: critical terrain (pp 541-546). Toronto, ON: Women’s Press. 

Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action. (2016). “Because it’s 2016!” In M. Hobbs & C. Rice (Eds), Gender and women’s studies in Canada: critical terrain (pp 90-95). Toronto, ON: Women’s Press. 

Women’s Initiatives For Safer Environments | Safer For Women, Safer For All (wiseottawa.ca)