Gender-Based Violence
Warning: Content on this page contains sensitive information including topics such as sexual violence. If you need immediate support, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The City of Chicago defines Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as “bias-based harm caused by one’s bias against another person’s gender identity.” This means any harm done to an individual based on someone’s biological sex, gender identity, or perceived gender identity based on gender norms. GBV can include:
- Physical violence
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual violence
- Sexual harassment
- Discrimination based on gender
- Sexual exploitation
- Human trafficking
- Workplace violence
- Economic/financial abuse
- Coercive manipulation
- Harms related to immigration
- Stalking and harassment, including via electronic communications
- Reproductive coercion
- Discrimination and/or targeted violence based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity
- Institutional violence
To learn more about some of these terms, click here.
Sometimes, unhealthy relationships can be an indicator of human trafficking. The City of Chicago defines human trafficking as “An individual who is compelling through force, fraud and/or coercion for the purposes of commercial sex and/or forced labor.” This means that someone is forced to work and/or forced into sexual relations by another person who is financially benefiting from these forced acts. Click on the links below to find out more about human trafficking:
Call the confidential and 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
To report suspected human trafficking to Federal Law enforcement call 1-866-347-2423
What is Human Trafficking (Video)