Shining a Light on Gender Violence: Challenging Assumptions and Improving Data Collection in Saskatchewan with Karen Wood
In a world where accurate data is paramount to addressing and resolving societal issues, the absence of a comprehensive tracking tool for gender violence in Saskatchewan is a pressing concern. In our debut episodes of the Resolving Violence Podcast, we interviewed Karen Wood, a renowned researcher and former director of Resolve Saskatchewan. She sheds light on the critical need to accurately measure the rates of gender violence in the province and highlights the limitations of current methods relying on national surveys.
Wood underscores the importance of having an accurate baseline to determine the effectiveness of interventions in reducing gender violence rates. Shockingly, Saskatchewan has been reported to have the highest provincial rates of femicides, police-reported crimes, intimate partner violence, and sexual misconduct in the workplace. However, these statistics are just the tip of the iceberg. Wood emphasizes that they are underestimates of prevalence, leaving us with an incomplete picture of the issue.
One major challenge lies in the absence of a shared understanding of what constitutes gender violence. Different definitions are used by government agencies, police, medical professionals, and statistical agencies, hindering data collection and analysis. Furthermore, societal factors such as underreporting, recall bias, and lack of recognition and naming of abusive behaviors further hinder accurate representation. Accessibility issues, particularly for rural and marginalized communities, contribute to the exclusion of key populations from data collection.
Resolving Violence Podcast aims to shed light on pressing issues like this, providing valuable insights from experts like Karen Wood. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes as we work towards resolving violence, and creating a safer and more inclusive society for all.
Learn More About Our Guest
With roots in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, Karen (she/her) is a researcher and creative writer whose work is inspired by the nourishing beauty of the land and fueled by a commitment to addressing gendered violence. Informed by years of experience in both academic and community practice, Karen delights in the extraordinary capacity of artistic expression to create space for social and political engagement and activism.
To connect with Karen Wood, contact her at karen.wood@usask.ca.
To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/
