As part of a delegation by the Peel Committee Against Women Abuse, Regional Councillor Rowena Santos is bringing forward a motion at Peel Regional Council to advance the Break the Cycle Summit: Focusing Housing Solutions in Response to Gender-Based Violence in Peel, a regional summit focused on addressing one of the biggest obstacles in addressing gender-based violence (GBV), intimate partner violence (IPV), and human sex trafficking.
The Break the Cycle Summit will be supported by the Faculty of Community Services of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) at the Brampton Medical School, and bring together survivors and individuals with lived experience, frontline service providers, housing experts, academic partners, and government leaders to co-design a coordinated, Peel-specific range of housing and wraparound supports that enable survivors to safely leave abusive situations and achieve long-term stability.
“The highest number of mobile dispatched calls to Peel Police is intimate partner violence related. In 2024, Peel police responded to almost 2 IPV disputes every hour. This is a safety crisis and housing continues to be one of the biggest obstacles to address it,” said Councillor Santos. “Survivors cannot leave abuse if they have nowhere safe to go. This Summit is about moving beyond awareness to delivering concrete, coordinated housing solutions that break the cycle of violence. Our vision is to understand and identify the continuum of care for women and their children to be supported out of abuse, and identify the gaps in housing support within the system.”
The motion builds on Councillor Santos longstanding leadership on GBV and IPV at both the City of Brampton and the Region of Peel. Since 2020, she has championed initiatives with Peel Regional Police and community organizations, leading to the launch of the Break the Silence public education campaigns.
In 2023, Councillor Santos led motions at both the City of Brampton and the Region declaring gender-based violence and intimate partner violence an epidemic, formally escalating the crisis and calling on provincial and federal governments for urgent action and increased investment.
Delegation By PCAWA
“Declaring GBV an epidemic was about naming the reality and demanding action,” said Santos. “This upcoming Break the Cycle Summit is about building the systems, particularly housing, that are needed to respond in a meaningful way.”
As part of the motion, Regional Council is also being asked to advocate to Peel-area MPs and MPPs for increased investment in housing, shelter, and survivor supports, and to invite municipal, provincial, and federal partners to participate.
“Peel has shown leadership in breaking the silence and also recognizing gender-based violence as an epidemic,” said Santos. “Now we must ensure survivors have real pathways to safety, stability, and dignity. Housing is central to that work.”
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Media Contact: rowena.santos@brampton.ca
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