Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with information from the Canada Revenue Agency’s T1 Family File to obtain your personal and family income. Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.

The survey asks questions about:

• Perceptions of gender roles
• Inappropriate sexual behaviours observed and experienced in the workplace
• Inappropriate sexual behaviours observed and experienced at school
• Inappropriate sexual behaviours experienced in a public space
• Inappropriate sexual behaviours experienced online
• Experiences of criminal harassment
• Experiences of violent victimization
• Experiences of abuse and violent behaviours in intimate partner relationships
• Lifetime experiences
• Health
• Socio-demographic characteristics

Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen.

Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.

Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in Brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.

• What is the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces?
• I just did a similar survey. Why are you contacting me again?
• Am I obligated to take part in the survey?
• Why should I complete this survey?
• What is gender-based violence?
• What is the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence?
• How many people will be contacted to participate in the survey?
• How is this survey funded?
• What do I do if I need to stop in the middle of the survey? Will my responses be saved? Can I complete the survey at a later time?
• How do you protect my information?
• Why should I answer questions that I feel are too personal or an invasion of my privacy?
• Why do you ask for a postal code?
• Will you use my name? Or will my name be put on a mailing list?
• Why do you ask about population groups?
• Why do you ask if I am an Indigenous person?
• I am a trained volunteer at a local distress centre. Their policy states very clearly that as volunteers, for reasons of confidentiality, we don't talk about the agency, clients or what we do. I really feel that I can't take part in this survey.
• When will the results from the survey be available?

What is the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces?

This survey collects information on personal experiences with unwanted behaviours and violence at home, in the workplace, at school, in public spaces and online. We know that many of the topics in this survey can be sensitive, but it is essential to hear directly from Canadians, whether or not you have experienced any of these behaviours. Participation is voluntary, but your input will ensure that the results are complete and reliable. Your responses will remain strictly confidential.

Data collected through this survey will allow researchers, policymakers, victim service providers and other organizations to measure the effectiveness of existing support services, improve these services, and develop new programs and strategies to prevent and address victimization.

Data from previous cycles of this survey have helped to produce the most comprehensive portrait of experiences of gender-based violence in Canada to date.

I just did a similar survey. Why are you contacting me again?

There are a number of surveys being conducted by Statistics Canada at one time. Every effort has been made to prevent overlap between surveys; however, it is possible that you have been selected for more than one survey. Each of the surveys have their own objectives and relate to different aspects of Canadian life.

Am I obligated to take part in the survey?

While your participation is voluntary, you have been selected to represent other individuals with similar characteristics. Your participation is very important to ensure the results of the survey accurately represent the Canadian population as a whole.

Why should I complete this survey?

It is important to hear from all people living in Canada, regardless of whether or not you have had any of these experiences. Data from this survey will be used to inform the government's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, as well as assist with program and policy decisions, and support research in the field of gender-based violence.

What is gender-based violence?

Many Canadians across the country continue to face violence every day simply because of their gender expression, gender identity or perceived gender. This is gender-based violence (GBV). This kind of violence can take many forms: cyber, physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and economic. Neglect and harassment are also forms of GBV.

What is the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence?

The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence is the Government of Canada's response to gender-based violence (GBV). It builds on current federal initiatives, coordinates existing programs, and lays the foundation for greater action on GBV. It is based on five pillars:

• Support for victims, survivors, and their families
• Prevention
• Responsive justice system
• Implementing Indigenous-led approaches
• Social infrastructure and enabling environment

The National Action Plan aims to

• Engage all people in Canada in changing the social norms, attitudes, and behaviours that contribute to GBV
• Address the social and economic factors that contribute to GBV
• Set out a framework for anyone facing GBV to have reliable and timely access to culturally appropriate and accessible protection and services
• Improve the health, social, economic, and justice outcomes of those impacted by GBV

This survey is one source of information that can be used to help better understand the experiences and needs of those who have experienced gender-based violence in Canada.

How many people will be contacted to participate in the survey?

Approximately 150,000 people living in Canada 15 years of age and older will be invited to complete the questionnaire.

How is this survey funded?

The survey is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE Canada) as part of the federal government's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.

What do I do if I need to stop in the middle of the survey? Will my responses be saved? Can I complete the survey at a later time?

Yes, your responses will be saved. If you are completing the survey online, you can save your answers with a password and resume later. If you are completing the survey by telephone, you can make an appointment with the interviewer and resume later.

How do you protect my information?

Statistics Canada takes your confidentiality very seriously. Under the Statistics Act, all information provided to Statistics Canada will be kept confidential and used only for statistical purposes. We do not release any information that could identify individuals, businesses, or households. All employees of Statistics Canada are under oath and are liable to prosecution and/or severe penalties if they do not safeguard that confidentiality. Stringent precautions are taken during the collection and processing of survey information to ensure that no unauthorized person will be allowed access to the data and that no identifiable information is released.

Why should I answer questions that I feel are too personal or an invasion of my privacy?

We realize that some questions are personal, but keep in mind that we get many answers from many people. These answers are grouped together and used to produce overall statistics. It will not be possible to identify any of your responses from materials released to the public.

It is important to hear from all people living in Canada, regardless of whether or not you have had any of these experiences. Data from this survey will be used to inform the government's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, as well as assist with program and policy decisions, and research of all kinds in the field of gender-based violence.

Why do you ask for a postal code?

Your postal code tells us in which part of a city or rural area you live. Statistics Canada uses this information to calculate the number of people with specific characteristics that you represent in your area. Your postal code will not be shared with any other organization.

Will you use my name? Or will my name be put on a mailing list?

No. All personal information such as names and addresses will be separated from survey answers. Names and addresses are only used by Statistics Canada to contact people for the survey. No information will be published that could allow an individual to be identified. Statistics Canada will keep personal identifiers for internal linkage purposes, and they will be removed once data linkage is done.

Why do you ask about population groups?

The main purpose of the population group question is to determine whether a person belongs to the visible minority population, that is, one of the four designated groups identified by the Employment Equity Act. This act defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal* peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour." The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese. Asking a direct question is the best way to determine the visible minority population.

*Please note that Statistics Canada has replaced the term "Aboriginal" with the updated term "Indigenous" when referring to individuals who identify themselves as First Nations, Métis or Inuit, however, "Aboriginal" is still used in the Employment Equity Act at this time.

Why do you ask if I am an Indigenous person?

Published survey results are used by Indigenous communities, businesses and organizations to explore a wide variety of demographic and socio-economic issues. It also contributes to a complete picture of the situation of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

I am a trained volunteer at a local distress centre. Their policy states very clearly that as volunteers, for reasons of confidentiality, we don't talk about the agency, clients or what we do. I really feel that I can't take part in this survey.

The survey does not ask about your dealings with people when you volunteer. Under the Statistics Act all your answers are strictly confidential, and your participation is very important.

When will the results from the survey be available?

Results will be available in early 2026.

Some of the content of this survey may bring up upsetting memories of stressful or traumatic events, which could cause distress. Should you need any support, the following resources may be helpful.

National Victim Services Directory
Kids Help Phone
National help line: 1-800-668-6868

Alberta

Distress Centre Calgary (24 hours)
403-266-4357

Family Violence Information Line (24 hour toll free)
310-1818

Victim Services Alberta

List of victim services units in Alberta

British Columbia

Victim Link (24 hours)
1-800-563-0808

CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program)
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (MPSSG)
1-866-660-3888

Helpline for Children
310-1234 or 1-800-663-9122

Vancouver
Victim Services Unit - Vancouver Police Department
(604) 717-2737 ext. 4

Manitoba

Manitoba Organization for Victim Assistance (MOVA)
1-877-596-0095 or (204) 831-8950

Klinic Crisis Line (24 hrs - 7 days a week)
1-888-322-3019 or (204) 786-8686

Victim and Witness Assistance Program
204-945-3594 or 1-866-635-1111

New Brunswick

CHIMO Helpline (24 hrs - 7 days a week)
1-800-667-5005 or (506) 450-4357

Newfoundland and Labrador

811 HealthLine (24 hrs – 7 days a week)
811 or 1-888-709-2929

Department of Justice - Victim Services
(709) 729-7970 or (709) 729-0900

Northwest Territories

NWT HelpLine
1-800-661-0844

Victim Services – Department of Justice, Community Justice
1-867-767-9261

Nova Scotia

Victim Services Head Office
1-888-470-0773

Halifax, Dartmouth and Halifax County
Victim Services Dartmouth Regional Office
(902) 424 -3307

Annapolis, Kings, Haunts, Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby Counties
Victim Services Kentville Regional Office
1-800-565-1805

Pictou, Guyborough, Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland Counties
Victim Services Pictou Regional Office
902-485-3580 or 1-800-565-7912

Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness, Victoria Counties
Victim Services Sydney Regional Office
902-563-3655 or 1-800-565-0071

Nunavut

Rankin Inlet
Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre
1-867-645-2600

Nunavut Ramatsiqtut Helpline
1-800-265-3333

RCMP Crisis Line
1-867-979-0123

Ontario

Victim Support Line (24 hrs – 7 days a week)
1-888-579-2888 or (416) 314-2447

Assaulted Women's Helpline (24 hrs - 7 days a week)
1-866-863-0511 or (416) 863- 0511
TTY 1-866-863-7868

Prince Edward Island

Mental Health Support and Services (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
1-833-553-6983

Victims Assistance, Charlottetown Police Services
Charlottetown (Queens and Kings County): (902) 368-4582
Summerside (Prince County): (902) 888-8217 or (902) 888-8218

Quebec

CAVAC (Crime Victims Assistance Centre)
1-866-532-2822

SOS Domestic Violence (24 hrs)
1-800-363-9010

Tel-jeunes (Youth from 5 to 20 years old)
1-800-263-2266

Saskatchewan

Government of Saskatchewan - Victim Services Branch (Regina)
1-888-286-6664 or (306) 787-3500 or (306) 933-7665
TTY 1-866-445-8857

Yukon

VictimLink (24 hours)
1-800-563-0808

Yukon Department of Justice - Victim Services
1-800-661-0408 extension 8500 or (867) 667-8500