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What is abuse?

Abuse is a pattern of controlling behaviour. In families, an abusive person can use many tactics to gain power over another family member:

• Damaging personal property

• Name-calling, put-downs and other forms of verbal, emotional, or psychological abuse

• Hitting, punching, kicking, strangling, and other forms of physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Neglect

• Forced confinement

• Stalking

• Ridiculing a person’s religious beliefs

• Spending a person’s money or limiting their access to finances

• Threats to harm children, other family members, pets, and property

• Intentional or unintentional misuse of medications and prescriptions, such as withholding or providing doses that cause bodily harm, sedation or other adverse effect(s)

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Relationship abuse cuts across every line of geography, income and social status. It is found in every community in our country and thousands of incidents of domestic violence occur every year. Abuse is not always observable through physical injury. Changes in behaviour, demeanour, and social relationships can also be a signs of issues in a relationship.

The sad news is that many incidents go unreported. Many of the households where abuse occurs also have a child/children present – which means there is usually more than one victim. Taking the enormous step to reach out is the first step towards change and the first step towards safety.

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Do you need help?

• Are you seeking help creating a safety plan for yourself or family?

• Do you need to be connected with services, supports, and referrals for financial resources, legal advice and resources, housing options, and health and mental health support?

• Do you have questions on the impacts of family violence?

• Are you looking for information on resources for individuals who are concerned about their loved ones being involved in an abusive relationship?

• Are you concerned about an individuals abusive behaviours or about your own abusive behaviours towards family members?