Education
What is Family Violence?
Family Violence describes a systematic pattern of abusive behaviours within a relationship that is characterized by intimacy, dependency and/or trust. The abusive behaviours exist
within a context where their purpose is to gain power, control and induce fear. All forms of abusive behaviour are ways in which one human being is trying to have control and/or
exploit or have power over another. (Community Initiatives against Family Violence, Adopted October 9, 2001)
Types of Abuse:
- Physical abuse: the intentional use of force against a person without that person’s consent. May include pushing, hitting, slapping, punching, strangling, stabbing, shooting, throwing objects, burning, and killing.
- Sexual abuse: sexual touching or sexual activity without consent, continued sexual contact when asked to stop, or forcing someone to commit unsafe or humiliating sexual acts.
- Emotional abuse: when a person uses words or actions to control, frighten or isolate someone or take away their self-respect. It can also sometimes be called psychological abuse.
- Financial abuse: when someone uses money or property to control or exploit someone else.
(About Family Voilence. (2015, Jan. 7). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Government of Canada Department of Justice:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/fv-vf/about-apropos.html)
What is Intimate Partner Violence?
Intimate partner violence or abuse happens within a marriage, common law, or dating relationship; at any time during the relationship including while it is breaking down or after it
has ended.
In most cases one person may want power and complete control over their partner and will use different ways to achieve it. This type of abuse almost always gets worse over time and
can often lead to serious physical violence. It can cause lasting health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
(About Family Voilence. (2015, Jan. 7). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Government of Canada Department of Justice:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/fv-vf/about-apropos.html)
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Child abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. It also includes neglect and any violence that children see or hear in their families. Children who witness family violence
are at risk for both short term and long-term harm. Even if they don’t see or hear the violence, they can be affected by hearing or seeing the results of the violence. They can have
emotional, behavioural, and developmental problems. These problems can last a long time. They are also at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
(About Family Voilence. (2015, Jan. 7). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Government of Canada Department of Justice:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/fv-vf/about-apropos.html)
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness that involves exposure to trauma involving death, threat of death, serious injury, or sexual violence.
PTSD can cause intrusive symptoms such as re-experiencing the traumatic event, vivid nightmares, flashbacks, or thoughts of the event that seem to come from nowhere.
People with PTSD will often avoid things that remind them of the event and feel very nervous or on edge all the time. They may feel startled very easily, have a hard time
concentrating, feel irritable, or have problems sleeping well; often feeling like something terrible is about to happen, even if they are safe.
Some people with PTSD feel numb and detached; feeling disconnected from their body or thoughts, and may have a hard time experiencing emotions.
(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (2015). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Canadian Mental Health Association:
http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/#.VSf1UfnF-ik )
What Are the Signs of Family Violence?
- Bruising or injuries, often blamed on clumsiness or accidents
- Unseasonable clothing (turtlenecks) that may cover bruising
- Changes in ability to concentrate
- Unexplained absences from work
- Upsetting phone calls throughout the day
- Uncharacteristic sadness, withdrawal or exhaustion
- Uncharacteristic fear or anxiety
- Hints about trouble at home (partner has a bad temper, alcohol use, third-party concerns)
- Controlling behavior of spouse
What is the Impact of Family Violence on Canadians?
All members of Canadian society are affected by family violence.
There are long term impacts of violence on victims’ physical and emotional health that can result in their inability to work, the loss of wages, their lack of participation in regular
activities and their limited ability to care for themselves and their children.
Children may suffer long-term emotional, behavioural and developmental problems that can even lead them to be violent later in life. The consequences of family violence stretch far
beyond to the victim’s family, friends, and communities.
There are also tremendous social costs. A considerable amount of Canadian resources are directed to address this issue including costs to health care, the justice system, to employers
and businesses, and to social and community services.
A recent study by the Department of Justice Canada, An Estimation of the Economic Impact of Spousal Violence in Canada, (2009) estimates the economic impact of spousal violence to
be about $7.4 billion a year, amounting to $225 per Canadian.
(About Family Voilence. (2015, Jan. 7). Retrieved April 10, 2015, from Government of Canada Department of Justice:
http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/fv-vf/about-apropos.html)