Overview

What is domestic violence?

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Domestic violence is abuse that happens in a personal relationship.

Most relationships have difficult times, and almost every couple argues now and then. But violence is different from common marital or relationship problems. Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse that a partner—a former or current partner or spouse—uses to control the behaviour of another.

Domestic violence affects people of every gender, ethnicity, race, age, sexual identity, social status, or religion. But most of its victims are women.

The abuser may use fear, bullying, and threats to gain power and control over the other person. The abuser may act jealous, controlling, or possessive. These early signs of abuse may happen soon after the start of the relationship and might be hard to notice at first.

After the relationship becomes more serious, the abuse may get worse.

• The abuser may begin making threats, calling the other person names, and slamming doors or breaking dishes. This is a form of emotional abuse that is sometimes used to make the person feel bad or weak.
• Physical abuse that starts with a slap might lead to kicking, shoving, and choking over time.
• As a way to control the person, the abuser may make violent threats against the person's children, other family members, or pets.
• Abusers may also control or withhold money to make the person feel weak and dependent. This is called financial abuse.
• Domestic violence also includes sexual abuse, such as forcing a person to have sex against their will.

What can you do if you're being abused?

It's important to get help. Talk with someone you trust, such as a friend, a help centre, or your doctor. Talking with someone can help you make the changes you need.

You can get help by contacting a local advocacy group for support, information, and advice on how to stay safe. Visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime's website at https://crcvc.ca/resources/resource-directory/ for the nearest program.

Here are some other things you can do:

• Know your legal rights. Consider asking the police for help.
• Make sure that you know phone numbers you can call and places you can go in an emergency.
• Teach your children not to get in the middle of a fight.

Signs of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence often starts with threats, name-calling, and slamming doors or breaking dishes, and it can build up to pushing, slapping, and other violent acts. But not all signs of domestic violence are physical. If you are concerned about your relationship, ask yourself the following questions.

Does your partner:

• Embarrass you with put-downs?
• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
• Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
• Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
• Take your money or paycheck, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
• Make all of the decisions?
• Tell you that you're a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
• Threaten to kill themself?
• Prevent you from working or going to school?
• Act like the abuse is no big deal or is your fault, or even deny doing it?
• Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
• Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
• Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
• Threaten to kill you?

Signs that someone is being abused

Do you have a friend, co-worker, relative, or neighbour who you think may be in an abusive relationship?

Here are some signs to watch for:

• Bruises or injuries that look like they came from choking, punching, or being thrown down. Black eyes, red or purple marks at the neck, and sprained wrists are common injuries in violent relationships.
• Attempting to hide bruises with makeup or clothing
• Making excuses like tripping or being accident-prone or clumsy. Often the seriousness of the injury does not match up with the explanation.
• Having few close friends and being isolated from relatives and co-workers and kept from making friends
• Having to ask permission to meet, talk with, or do things with other people
• Having little money available; may not have credit cards or even a car

Other warning signs:

• Having low self-esteem; being extremely apologetic and meek
• Referring to the partner's temper but not disclosing the extent of the abuse
• Having substance use disorder
• Having symptoms of depression, such as sadness or hopelessness, or loss of interest in daily activities
• Talking about suicide, attempting suicide, or showing other warning signs of suicide. Encourage this person to talk with a health professional.

Be supportive, and let your friend know that you are there to listen and help.

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Who Is at Risk

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Domestic violence affects people of every gender, ethnicity, race, age, sexual identity, social status, or religion.

Here are some things you should know:

• While domestic violence can affect anyone, most victims are women.
• The stress of poverty can increase conflict in a relationship. That conflict sometimes leads to violence.
• Heavy alcohol use also increases the risk of domestic violence.
• The risks can increase when a partner is thinking about leaving the relationship. This might cause the other person to feel as if they are losing control. A person is at increased risk of being a victim of stalking, attempted murder, or murder after leaving an abusive relationship.

Other things that can put you at risk include having a partner who has lost a job or who has medical or mental health conditions.

Domestic abuse is also a big problem among the elderly.

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Domestic Violence and Your Health

If you want to save this information but don't think it is safe to take it home, see if a trusted friend can keep it for you. Plan ahead. Know who you can call for help, and memorize the phone number. Be careful online too. Your online activity may be seen by others. Do not use your personal computer or device to read about this topic. Use a safe computer such as one at work, a friend's house, or a library.

After abuse starts, it usually continues. And it's likely to get worse over time. For example, abuse that starts with a slap may build up over time to kicking and shoving and finally choking.

The repeated injury and stress of living in a violent relationship can cause long-lasting health problems, such as:

• Depression.
• Panic attacks.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Headaches, chronic neck pain, chronic back pain, and pelvic pain.
• Digestive problems (irritable bowel syndrome).

Those who are abused have a higher risk of health problems. Abuse victims are also more likely to smoke or drink a lot of alcohol, which can also lead to health problems. Other health problems linked to sexual abuse include sexually transmitted infections (including HIV/AIDS) and unintended pregnancies.

If you're pregnant

Pregnancy can be an especially dangerous time for women who are in abusive relationships. Problems during pregnancy, such as low weight gain, anemia, infections, and bleeding, are higher for these women.

Abuse can happen more often and get worse when women are pregnant. It is dangerous for both the mother and the baby. It can raise the baby's risk of low birth weight, premature birth, and death.

How It Affects Children

When there's violence in the home, children are always affected, even if they're asleep or not in the room when the abuse happens. The longer you live in a violent situation, the harder it will be for your children.

When abuse happens, your children may feel scared and ashamed, or they may even think that they caused the problem. Worse, they can grow up thinking that it's okay to hurt others or let other people hurt them.

Abuse can affect your family in other ways, too.

Your children's health.

Children who live in homes where domestic violence occurs are more likely to have depression, anxiety, poor school performance, behaviour problems, trouble sleeping, or chronic health problems.

Your children's safety.

Spouses who abuse their partners also often hurt the children in the relationship. Violence or the threat of violence toward a victim's children is often used to control the partner who is being abused.

Teen drug and alcohol use.

Teens who witness abuse are at increased risk for depression, drug and alcohol use, and behaviour problems.

Suicide.

Teens who witness abuse at home attempt suicide more often.

Future abuse.

Children who see one partner hurting or threatening the other are more likely to be in abusive relationships themselves when they grow up, either as victims or abusers.

Why Victims Stay

People who are not abused might find it hard to understand why anyone would stay in an abusive relationship. Victims are often blamed. Some people falsely believe that if a person stays, they must be weak or needy. This is not true.

Changing or ending any relationship is hard. It can be even harder when the relationship is abusive. People stay for many reasons.

Conflicting emotions.

Abusers use verbal, emotional, and physical violence along with apologies, promises, and affection to control their victims. A victim may hold on to the hope that the abuser will change. Along with painful times, there may be loving moments. The abuser may also be the only one providing financial support for the family.

Shame.

Victims often feel tremendous shame and embarrassment and use denial as a way of coping with the abuse.

Safety concerns.

In many cases, the abuser has threatened to kill their partner, themself, or the children if their partner tries to leave.

Lack of money and resources.

Money is often tightly controlled, so a victim may fear losing financial support and may question how they will be able to support themself and their children. People who are elderly or have disabilities may not feel that they have any other options than to stay with the abusive partner.

Depression and isolation.

Abuse can leave victims depressed and emotionally drained. This can make it hard to act. And abusers try to isolate victims from family and friends so that the victims do not have anyone to support them if they do leave.

Cultural or religious pressures.

In some cases, religious counsellors, relatives, or friends may encourage victims to stay to keep the family together no matter what.

Custody worries.

A person may worry about losing custody of their children if they leave.

Fear of being deported.

Victims that are immigrants might stay in an abusive relationship because their partners have threatened to have them deported. Not being fluent in English might also be a challenge.

How to Help

Many victims of domestic violence are willing to talk about their relationship when they are approached in a kind and understanding manner. But don't confront a victim if the person is not ready to talk. Let the person know you are willing to listen whenever they want to talk. Be understanding if the person is unable to leave. They often know the situation best and when it is safest to leave.

Reassure the person that the abuse is not their fault and that no one deserves to be abused. If the person has children, gently point out that you are concerned that the violence is affecting them. Many victims do not understand that their children are being harmed until someone else voices the concern.

Remind the victim that domestic violence is against the law and that help is available. You may be able to help a victim understand their options. Be willing to assist in any way you can with transportation, money, or child care. Encourage your friend to talk with a health professional.

The most dangerous time for a victim of domestic violence can be when the person is leaving an abusive relationship, so any advice about leaving must be knowledgeable and practical. Encourage the victim to get advice from an advocacy agency with experience in the area of domestic violence.

Helping a person contact local domestic violence groups is an important step. If you know someone who is being abused, see the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime's website at https://crcvc.ca/resources/resource-directory/ to find programs that offer shelter and legal support. There are many programs across the country that provide options for safety, advocacy, support, and needed information and services.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• Be a good listener and a caring friend.
• Remind the person that no one deserves to be treated this way.
• Let the person know that the abuse is against the law and that help is available.
• Help the person make a plan to stay safe.
• You can also suggest that the person visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime's website at https://crcvc.ca/resources/resource-directory/ to find a local domestic violence support group.

Here are some other ways to help:

• Encourage and help your friend develop a plan for staying safe while in an abusive relationship.
• Help if your friend is preparing to leave a violent relationship.
• Learn about how your friend can stay safe after leaving.

Developing a Safety Plan

A violent relationship puts you and your children at risk for injury and even death. Developing a plan will help provide for your safety and the safety of your children.

Your first step is to contact a local advocacy group for support, information, and advice on how to stay safe. Visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime's website at https://crcvc.ca/resources/resource-directory/ to find programs that offer shelter and legal support.

• Stay safe if you are in a violent relationship.
  • When an argument occurs, go to a safe place.
  • Try to have a phone available at all times.
  • Create a code word or sign that can be used to alert family and friends that you need help.
• Have a safety plan if you're preparing to leave a violent relationship.
  • Have a packed bag ready with copies of your car and house keys, money or credit cards, and important papers, such as Social Insurance Number cards and birth certificates for you and your children. Keep it hidden in your home, or leave the bag with friends or family or at work if possible.
  • Open a savings account or get a credit card, if you can do so in secret.
  • Use this checklist of items to take with you when you leave.
• Learn how to stay safe after you leave a violent relationship.
  • Change your phone number.
  • Change your routine.
  • If your abuser comes to your home, you don't have to let them in. Keep the doors closed and locked, and call the police.
• Take extra measures to stay safe after you leave.

  Your local advocacy group can help you get in touch with legal and social services in your area. This group may also provide information on counselling and support groups that can help you recover emotionally from your abuse.

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Legal Protection From Abuse

Many women and men are reluctant to call police when they have been hurt. Victims fear that their partners will retaliate or that police officers will be insensitive and embarrass them, among other concerns. But many communities have made great progress in educating police officers and other people in the criminal justice system about domestic violence.

Police officers may arrest the abuser if they believe domestic violence has occurred. In some communities, assistance from local victim's advocacy groups and provincial social services are requested at the same time. Along with these services, the law can be another tool you can use to increase your safety and independence.

In many provinces, police officers can help you obtain a temporary protection order at the scene of the crime. Protection orders may also be called restraining orders, emergency intervention orders, peace bonds, or emergency protection orders. 

In general, protection orders require the abuser to stay away from you, your home, your workplace, or your school—to stop all contact, whether by telephone, notes, email, or other means—and to stop harming or threatening you. You can request a protection order at any time. An abuser can be arrested for violating a protection order.

Protection orders are available in all provinces, but each province has its own laws governing them. Many provinces allow you to obtain a protection order without an attorney. The court can also extend the protection order to your children and order the abuser to have no contact with them, your children's doctors, daycare, or school.

Keep your protection order with you at all times, and keep a copy in a safe place. If you travel to another province, check to see if your protection order is valid in that province. Some provinces enforce protection orders from other provinces, but many do not.

At work, tell your supervisor and the human resources manager about your situation. Discuss scheduling options and other safety precautions to provide for your well-being. Give a recent photo of the abuser to your human resources manager and, if possible, ask to prohibit the abuser's access to your workplace. Tell human resources if there is a current protection order in place.

While protective orders do not automatically prevent you from being abused, they do deter abusers. Abuse victims who get permanent protective court orders are less likely to be physically or psychologically abused than those who do not get permanent protective orders.

Contact your local domestic violence group, legal aid society, or family court for help. Visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime's website at https://crcvc.ca/resources/resource-directory/ to find programs that offer shelter and legal support.

The court may also award temporary custody of children to you, along with child support, spousal support, and use of the home and car along with the protection order. The court may be able to order the batterer to pay your legal costs and fees. As a victim of a crime, you may also be eligible for additional financial support from the court.

Provinces may require that abusers attend batterer intervention programs. These programs try to make abusers accountable for their behaviour and educate them about healthy alternatives to their abuse. Batterer intervention programs report varying degrees of success, although so far, studies have not verified that success. Most experts believe that batterer programs are most effective when the abuser recognizes that their behaviour is abusive and wants to change.

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Teen Relationship Abuse

Teens who abuse their partners do the same things as adults who abuse their partners. Teen dating violence is just as serious as adult domestic violence. And it's common.

In teen relationship abuse, both boys and girls report abuse. But most victims are girls.

Abusive relationships have good times and bad times. Part of what makes dating violence so confusing is that there is love mixed with the abuse. This can make it hard to tell if you're really being abused.

You deserve to be treated in a loving, respectful way at all times by your partner.

Ask yourself these questions. Does your partner:

• Have a history of bad relationships or past violence?
• Always blame their problems on other people?
• Blame you for "making" them treat you badly?
• Put you down in front of friends?
• Try to use drugs or alcohol to get you alone when you don't want to be?
• Try to control you by being bossy, not taking your opinion seriously, or making all of the decisions about who you see or what you wear?
• Talk about people in sexual ways or talk about sex like it's a game or contest?
• Pressure you to have or force you to have unprotected sex?
• Constantly text you or call you to find out where you are and who you're with? You might think that's about caring, but it's really about controlling your relationship.
• Threaten to hurt or kill themself?

Do you:

• Feel less confident about yourself when you're with them?
• Feel scared or worried about doing or saying "the wrong thing"?
• Find yourself changing your behaviour out of fear or to avoid a fight?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be in an abusive relationship. Talk to your parents or another adult family member, a school counsellor, or teacher. Or you can call Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868.

Remember, you're not alone. Talking really does help. And without help, the violence will only get worse.

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