What is Abuse and Domestic Violence?
Not all abuse is physical, so the affects may not be apparent.
Abuse – Abuse happens when one individual attempts to control the behaviours or actions of another individual. Abuse is a misuse of power in order to make the victim vulnerable.
(Edmonton Police Service, 2014)
Domestic Violence – Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behaviour that is used by one person in order to gain power and control over another person with whom he or she has or is having an intimate relationship. Over time, domestic violence tends to become more frequent and more serious.
(Western Education, 2014)
Economic Abuse
Stopping you from getting a job, taking your money, making you ask for money, harassing you at work, asking you justify your spending.
Controlling Abuse
Controlling what you do, who you see, who you talk to, where you go. Cutting you off from your friends and family.
Sexual Abuse
Making you do sexual things against your will, inappropriate touching, child molesting, attacking the sexual parts of your body.
Physical Abuse
Any physical act intended to hurt or intimidate. Including slapping, punching, kicking, shoving, locking out of home, abandoning in unsafe place.
Intimidation
Causing fear through use of facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures, smashing things, destroying property, stalking, harassing.
Emotional Abuse
Putting you down, making you feel bad, name calling, mind games. Jealousy, making you doubt yourself.
Using Children
Making you feel guilty about the children, sending messages through the children, using visitation to harass you, telling you that you are a bad parent.
Threats
Threatening to take children, commit suicide or homicide, report you to welfare, hurt your pets or loved ones.