Toronto Victim Services is rolling out a campaign focused on gender-based violence as the city gears up to host 300,000 visitors for the FIFA World Cup.
The organization shared that this campaign will enhance its Ask for Angela community safety initiative, enabling individuals facing gender-based violence to discreetly seek immediate help.
Ask for Angela was first introduced in 2023 in Toronto.
Carly Kalish, CEO of Victim Services Toronto, explains that the campaign is being expanded ahead of the World Cup because instances of gender-based and intimate partner violence tend to rise during large sporting events.
“Internationally, research has linked high-profile televised sporting events, similar to those that we’ll be hosting here in Toronto this summer, to a significant increase in intimate partner violence,” said Kalish.
“We know this from Calgary; there was a 40 per cent increase of intimate partner violence calls directly to law enforcement during major sporting events.”
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The Canadian study Kalish referenced was conducted by the University of Calgary in 2017, which analyzed nearly 70,000 domestic violence reports made to police and the Connect abuse help line between 2011 and 2014.
The study found that domestic violence calls rose by 40 per cent when the Calgary Stampeders reached the Grey Cup final. The team played in the final both in 2012 and 2014.
<p. To counteract this trend, Victim Services plans to build strategic partnerships with retail, hospitality, healthcare, transit, and tourism sectors to train an additional 8,000 frontline staff and volunteers.
![Click to play video: 'Toronto police release data on intimate partner violence']()
2:06 Toronto police release data on intimate partner violence
April Hugh , acting commander for Toronto Paramedic Services ’ education development unit , said it’s supporting this program because it provides crucial assistance while keeping people safe.
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“The fact that it’s discreet and allows survivors of intimate partner gender-based violence an opportunity to reach out quietly is extremely important,” Hugh stated.
“We aim to provide such an environment through our services whether they’re at home , inside an ambulance , or at hospital.”
It’s not only those facing intimate partner violence who’ll receive attention; according to Toronto police , they’ll also assist potential victims of human trafficking.
“There’s often only a short window when someone can escape from their trafficker,” said Insp. Carrie Fernandez from the sex crimes unit within Toronto police. “A program like Ask for Angela offers victims a chance to seek help somewhere free from their trafficker’s control.”
-with files from ’s Caryn Lieberman
& ; copy ; 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. The campaign will also feature more than just people; posters designed as typical product ads will include QR codes for easy access along with a new website aimed at boosting accessibility in busy areas. An online interactive map will also be included so victims can find where they can get help. Four posters being used by Victim Services Toronto for its “Ask or Angela” campaign. Victim Services TorontoHow does Ask for Angela work?
Considering the risks individuals may face in domestic violence situations, Kalish mentioned that someone can use a simple phrase recognized by thousands of staff and volunteers immediately. Story continues below “It’s a code phrase that you can use at sites that are part of the program to ask for discreet help,” she said. You could walk into CN Tower or talk to a Toronto paramedic or go into a Shoppers Drug Mart and say, ‘Is Angela there?’ They’ll understand what you mean.” This will prompt staff members to potentially take the victim aside or into another room and ask if they’d like assistance from Victim Services or Toronto police; they will then help them make that call if needed. More on Health More videos “They call us; we operate 24 hours a day so we can come on scene to support whoever needs it,” Kalish added. Some of the partner agencies involved with this campaign include CN Tower , Sheraton Central Toronto Hotel , Hilton Toronto , Pr EP Clinic , Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre , and Toronto Paramedic Services.
2:06 Toronto police release data on intimate partner violence
April Hugh , acting commander for Toronto Paramedic Services ’ education development unit , said it’s supporting this program because it provides crucial assistance while keeping people safe.
Story continues below
“The fact that it’s discreet and allows survivors of intimate partner gender-based violence an opportunity to reach out quietly is extremely important,” Hugh stated.
“We aim to provide such an environment through our services whether they’re at home , inside an ambulance , or at hospital.”
It’s not only those facing intimate partner violence who’ll receive attention; according to Toronto police , they’ll also assist potential victims of human trafficking.
“There’s often only a short window when someone can escape from their trafficker,” said Insp. Carrie Fernandez from the sex crimes unit within Toronto police. “A program like Ask for Angela offers victims a chance to seek help somewhere free from their trafficker’s control.”
-with files from ’s Caryn Lieberman
& ; copy ; 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.Source link
