Local section of the IWW-SITT Montreal adheres to the joint declaration against violence experienced by women in housing.

The scale of violence against women remains, still today, a major social problem. In 2013, in Quebec, 83% the police reported sexual assaults were suffered by women (1). In 2011, 76% of stalking victims reported to the police were women (2).In the area of ​​rental housing, it is imperative to develop an analysis of the problems specifically faced by women, in all their diversity. Car, in addition to face problems in their housing because of their tenant status (need maintenance or repairs, presence of vermin or mold, etc.), they suffer violence and sexual harassment by their owner, concierge, neighbors and co-roomers, because they are women.

Although this violence can affect all women tenants, we consider that those living in difficult economic conditions and women facing various oppressions are particularly targeted.

Violence and sexual harassment committed in the private area, therefore invisible and unknown to the general population. In order that such acts are condemned, it is necessary that their structural and policy be recognized.

The unequal power relations established between the owners or caretakers and tenants or chambreuses – to which gender inequalities are added – linked, emmurent imprison and women in a devastating violence circle which is difficult to escape. Especially as the silence forced the victims to be silent, for fear of losing their homes.

Some conditions specifically experienced by tenants chambreuses women or expose them to abuse by their owner, concierge, co-roomers or neighbors when they overstep their rights. especially when :
♀ The owners and caretakers are given the right to use their key to access dual, at any time and without notice, housing tenants women.
♀ Owners, concierge, co-roomers or neighbors of misusing private information about women as tenants, for example, their habits, comings and goings.
♀ Owners, concierges, co-roomers or neighbors use poverty and precariousness tenants women as blackmail reason to force them to have sex (for example, as currency for the payment of rent or threatening to report them to immigration).

Some articles of the law already exist to ensure compliance with the tenants the right to security in their homes, including Articles 1902, 1931 and 1974.1 the Civil Code of Quebec. However, they are often ignored and rarely used by women, organizations and institutions whose mission is to support them in the defense of their rights.