Facts

• Domestic abuse can happen in any family at anytime, no matter their sexual orientation, economic class, or devotion to one another.
• Family violence isolates children, damages their self-esteem and can create psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, feelings of guilt and suicidal tendencies. Growing up in a violent home can lead some people to turn against their own children when they become parents, or to abuse their adult partners.
• If a victim is struggling to deal with his or her own abuse, he or she may be unable to care for children and child neglect may result.
• Children who witness violent behaviour in their homes are being emotionally abused.
• Children who experience domestic violence are at an extreme risk of repeating this behaviour when they grown up. They may victimize their partners or seek out partners who will victimize them.
• Gender roles and patriarchal values increase violence towards women. Many men believe they have the right to maintain control over women. When they feel their dominance is threatened, they tend to react with violent behaviour.
• The majority of domestic abuse is not reported. This leaves us guessing at how many people the statistics are leaving out.

Statistics

• Twelve percent of women who have been abused by their spouse or common law partner have never told anyone (RCMP – Spousal and Partner Abuse).
• Rates of domestic violence are highest among people between the ages of 15 and 24 (RCMP – Spousal and Partner Abuse).
• Consequences of domestic violence are much more severe for women then they are for men (CBC).
• In Canada, the health related cost of domestic abuse and violence against women is $1.5 billion per year. This includes medical and psychiatric costs (InterventionsJan2001).
• More women are injured or killed by physical abuse than by automobile accidents, muggings and rapes combined (InterventionsJan2001).
• Thirteen percent of women currently fear or have feared violence in their current relationship (Public Health Agency of Canada).
• A survey of 12,300 Canadian women showed that 30% have been assaulted by their partners at least once, 20% have been assaulted more than once, and almost 10% have been assaulted more than ten times (Public Health Agency of Canada).
• Forty percent of children have witnessed acts of violence between their parents (Public Health Agency of Canada).
• It is believed that three to five children in every classroom have witnessed their mother being assaulted (Public Health Agency of Canada).

The Domestic Violence Cycle

The domestic violence cycle has three phases and components. The cycle cannot be broken until an intervention occurs.

1. Tension build-up: there are problems in the house that are causing conflict and tension.

2. Explosion and anger: the tension reaches the point where someone can no longer deal with it. There is a fight and violence.

3. Honeymoon phase: period of guilt and remorse that follows the violent incident. Promises are made and apologies are accepted. The couple “makes up” and there is calm before the cycle starts again.

(Source: Domestic Violence Cycle)

Advanced Warning Signs of Domestic Violence

Does your Partner:

• Come from a household with a history of violence?
• Use force or violence as an answer to problems?
• Have jealously issues?
• Abuse alcohol or drugs?
• Physically force you to do things?
• Have strong traditional ideas about men’s and women’s roles?
• Threaten to use weapons against people?
• Get so angry that you fear him or her?
• Become moody?
• Have frequent highs and lows?

Signs of Violence

• “accidental” injuries
• isolation from family and friends
• constant criticism and “putting down”
• a partner who is possessive, jealous and needs to know the other person’s whereabouts at all times
• low self esteem and low confidence
• sudden withdrawal from activities
• depression
• edginess and jumpiness
• fear of the partner

If you are a victim of domestic violence:

• Call the police
• Inform your family
• Find a safe place to stay
• Seek medical attention
• Seek a protective order against your abuser
• Remember that this is not your fault

If you know a victim of domestic violence:

• Help the victim realize that he or she is in serious danger.
• Respond to him or her. Inform him or her you’re happy he or she confided in you and you will provide non-judgmental support.
• Encourage him or her to go the police right away. They will provide the victim with the proper resources which include social workers and health professionals.
• Encourage the victim to seek medical attention.
• Make sure the victim and any children have a safe place to go to.
• Remind the victim that he or she is not to blame and is not alone.

Links

Health Professionals – Domestic Violence Warning Signs
Family Violence Initiative
The Domestic Violence Handbook
Canada Abuse Help
Abuse Hotlines
CBC – Domestic Violence Rates Unchanged
Wife Assault the Findings of National Survey