The report is based on the testimonies of thousands of individuals in 139 communities, 800 submissions, and the Panel's own research. For the purposes of its analysis, the Panel divides violence against women into five dimensions: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, and spiritual. The Panel acknowledges that research to date has not provided accurate statistics on the prevalence of violence against women in Canada, but all the research has yielded consistently alarming figures; there is consensus among researchers that the incidence of violence against women is underestimated. Other topics discussed in the analysis of violence against women are the human, social, and financial costs of violence against women; patriarchy and violence; other forms of inequality; and the violence women experience through various socioeconomic institutions. The proposed National Action Plan is based in the Panel's belief that inequality increases women's vulnerability to violence and limits their choices in all aspects of their lives. The Equality Action Plan addresses those aspects of formal equality that the Panel believes have the greatest bearing on the vulnerability of women to violence. The National Action Plan introduces the concept of zero tolerance (no level of violence is acceptable). All organizations and institutions are encouraged to review their programs, practices, and products in the context of zero tolerance policy, which includes an accountability framework, implementation steps, and a zero tolerance model for organizations and institutions to follow. Specific plans are presented for eight sectors: services (health and social), legal, workplace, military, education, media, religious institutions, and government. A Personal Action Plan is also recommended. Appended supplementary information