Surrey hosts forum to tackle gender-based violence and strengthen community support

February 26,2026

RED FM News Desk

The City of Surrey hosted a forum yesterday at City Hall, bringing together front-line workers, community partners, and experts to address gender-based violence. The event aimed to raise awareness, share data, and promote coordinated efforts to combat what Mayor Brenda Locke described as a growing public safety and health crisis. 

“Gender-based violence is not a private matter — it affects families and communities every day,” said Mayor Locke. She emphasized the city’s commitment to working with community partners and strengthening prevention initiatives to protect women and gender-diverse residents. 

In her remarks, the mayor highlighted the severity of the issue: a woman is killed every 48 hours in Canada, nearly half of women in B.C. experience intimate partner violence, and Indigenous women are six times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women. 

Speakers showcased local solutions, such as safety audits of public spaces and calls for standardized risk-assessment tools across police and health services. The forum also recognized the vital work of front-line responders, forensic nurses, and community organizations supporting survivors. 

Presenters addressed ongoing challenges, including housing shortages and legal gaps that can allow coercive control to persist after separation, noting recent legislation like the Protecting Victims Act (2025) as a positive step. 

“Preventing gender-based violence requires every part of the system to work together — public safety, health, housing, and community partners,” said Brian Edwards, Surrey’s General Manager of Public Safety. He added that the forum reinforced the city’s focus on early intervention, survivor-centered supports, and coordinated responses. 

The event highlighted Surrey’s network of services, including the Surrey Women’s Centre, Atira, Elizabeth Fry Society, Options, YMCA, Pacific Community Resources Society, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA), and long-term partnerships with organizations like the Network to Eliminate Violence in Relationships (NEVR).