West Niagara Second Stage - What is Abuse?

What is Abuse?

Definition: Any and all behaviour demonstrated by the women’s partner, which serves to intimidate, threaten and/or control the women’s behaviour, actions & movements in the most immediate physical way. In relationships, Abuse is a means of achieving dominance and control, using many manipulative tactics. Abuse is complex both in its origin and its execution. The only way to fully comprehend it’s traumatic, painful consequences is to be the target of abuse. Violence against women and children is a result of gender inequality and abuse of power and control.

Abuse is about power and control
Abuse is hitting, punching, scratching, kicking, and/or any other kind of physical harm
Abuse is name calling, insults and mind games and/or any other kind of emotional harm
Abuse is threats and intimidation
Abuse is using your children to control you
Abuse is unwanted sexual touching, name calling and/or forced sex
Abuse is being isolated from your extended family & friends
Abuse is when someone takes away your economic / financial control

REMEMBER, ABUSE IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

Types of Abuse:

A) Emotional/Psychological Abuse refers to the humiliation or intimidation of another person, but is also used to refer to the long-term effects of emotional shock.

Verbal Harassment and Abuse
Personal Control
Financial Control
Social Control
Threats
Violence towards the Children
Destruction of Property
Terrorizing

B) Physical Violence/Assault is force or violence that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment.

Use of body
Use of objects and household articles
Use of weapons

C) Sexual Abuse/Violence is the forcing of undesired sexual acts on a person. It also includes:

Verbal harassment and abuse – making inappropriate sexual comments
Forced sexual activity
Withholding sexual attention

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