Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help.
Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.
Domestic violence can happen against women and against men, and anybody can be an abuser.
Signs of domestic violence and abuse
There are different kinds of abuse, but it’s always about having power and control over you.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship.
Emotional abuse
Does your partner ever:
- belittle you, or put you down?
- blame you for the abuse or arguments?
- deny that abuse is happening, or play it down?
- isolate you from your family and friends?
- stop you going to college or work?
- make unreasonable demands for your attention?
- accuse you of flirting or having affairs?
- tell you what to wear, who to see, where to go, and what to think?
- control your money, or not give you enough to buy food or other essential things?
Threats and intimidation
Does your partner ever:
- threaten to hurt or kill you?
- destroy things that belong to you?
- stand over you, invade your personal space?
- threaten to kill themselves or the children?
- read your emails, texts or letters?
- harass or follow you?
Physical abuse
The person abusing you may hurt you in a number of ways.
Does your partner ever:
- slap, hit or punch you?
- push or shove you?
- bite or kick you?
- burn you?
- choke you or hold you down?
- throw things?
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone, whether they’re male or female.
Does your partner ever:
- touch you in a way you don’t want to be touched?
- make unwanted sexual demands?
- hurt you during sex?
- pressure you to have unsafe sex – for example, not using a condom?
- pressure you to have sex?
If your partner has sex with you when you don’t want to, this is rape.
Have you ever felt afraid of your partner?
Have you ever changed your behaviour because you’re afraid of what your partner might do?
If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, there are lots of people who can help you.
A third of domestic violence and abuse against women starts during pregnancy. If the relationship is already abusive, it can get worse.
If you decide to leave
The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you’re not alone and it’s not your fault.
If you’re considering leaving, be careful who you tell. It’s important your partner doesn’t know where you’re going.
Helping a friend if they’re being abused
If you’re worried a friend is being abused, let them know you’ve noticed something is wrong.
They might not be ready to talk, but try to find quiet times when they can talk if they choose to.
If someone confides in you that they’re suffering domestic abuse:
- listen, and take care not to blame them
- acknowledge it takes strength to talk to someone about experiencing abuse
- give them time to talk, but don’t push them to talk if they don’t want to
- acknowledge they’re in a frightening and difficult situation
- tell them nobody deserves to be threatened or beaten, despite what the abuser has said
- support them as a friend – encourage them to express their feelings, and allow them to make their own decisions
- don’t tell them to leave the relationship if they’re not ready – that’s their decision
- ask if they have suffered physical harm – if so, offer to go with them to a hospital or GP
- help them report the assault to the police if they choose to
- be ready to provide information on organisations that offer help for people experiencing domestic abuse
Sexual assault
Women and men who have been sexually assaulted can get confidential help, treatment and support at a sexual assault referral centre.
Getting help
Abuse is never right, never justified, and never legal. If you require assistance or would like to talk to a trained professional about abuse, the following resources are available to you.
- Ending Violence Association of Canada. http://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/
- Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. Canadian Red Cross. https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/violence-bullying-and-abuse-prevention/educators/child-abuse-and-neglect-prevention
- Assaulted Women’s Helpline. http://www.awhl.org/
Source: Adapted from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) open licence.
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