What is Abuse?

Abuse is very common but it is not always easy to identify or understand. This section includes an overview and description of the various forms of abuse, definitions, the scope of the problem, abuse in Grey and Bruce, and links to current research and information. It includes information and resources on woman abuse, domestic violence, family violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse and systemic abuse issues such as racism, poverty, sexism, abelism, and heterosexism.

Child Abuse and Neglect

We all have responsibility for the welfare of children. Everyone has a duty to report child abuse and neglect under the Ontario Child and Family Services Network. Contact your local Children's Aid Society if you suspect child abuse or neglect.

The term "child abuse" refers to the violence, mistreatment or neglect that a child or adolescent may experience while in the care of someone they either trust or depend on, such as a parent, sibling, other relative, caregiver or guardian. Abuse may take place anywhere and may occur, for example, within the child's home or that of someone known to the child. There are many different forms of abuse and a child may be subjected to more than one form.

Physical abuse may consist of just one incident or it may happen repeatedly. It involves deliberately using force against a child in such a way that the child is either injured or is at risk of being injured. Physical abuse includes beating, hitting, shaking, pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking or assaulting a child with a weapon. http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/fm/childafs.html#ftn1 It also includes holding a child under water, or any other dangerous or harmful use of force or restraint. Female genital mutilation is another form of physical abuse.

Sexual abuse and exploitation involves using a child for sexual purposes. Examples of child sexual abuse include fondling, inviting a child to touch or be touched sexually, intercourse, rape, incest, sodomy, exhibitionism, or involving a child in prostitution or pornography.

Neglect is often chronic, and it usually involves repeated incidents. It involves failing to provide what a child needs for his or her physical, psychological or emotional development and well being. For example, neglect includes failing to provide a child with food, clothing, shelter, cleanliness, medical care or protection from harm. http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/fm/childafs.html#ftn3 Emotional neglect includes failing to provide a child with love, safety, and a sense of worth.

Emotional abuse involves harming a child's sense of self. It includes acts (or omissions) that result in, or place a child at risk of, serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional or mental health problems. For example, emotional abuse may include verbal threats, social isolation, intimidation, exploitation, or routinely making unreasonable demands. It also includes terrorizing a child, or exposing them to family violence.

An abuser may use a number of different tactics to gain access to a child, exert power and control over them, and prevent them from telling anyone about the abuse or seeking support. A child who is being abused is usually in a position of dependence on the person who is abusing them. Abuse is a misuse of power and a violation of trust. The abuse may happen once or it may occur in a repeated and escalating pattern over a period of months or years. The abuse may change form over time.

(Source: Department of Justice Canada)

For information on child abuse and neglect, including fact sheets, prevention and resources go to the Department of Justice Canada website: http://www.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/fm/childafs.html

For information on reporting child abuse/neglect go to http://www.children.gov.on.ca/NR/CS/Publications/AbuseNeglect-en.pdf

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse, or the abuse of older adults, is often defined as any act or omission that harms a senior or jeopardizes his or her health or welfare. The World Health Organization defines abuse of older adults as "a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person". Elder abuse can take place in the home, in a residential setting, or in the community. It is estimated up to ten per cent of Ontario's seniors experience some type of abuse. Elder Abuse can take many forms:

(Source: Senior's Advocacy and Awareness Network website.)

For more information go to http://www.gbccac.ca/saan.cfm

Woman Abuse (Cultural)

Woman abuse exists and persists in our society because it has been condoned and accepted for centuries. Control tactics are based on a range of personal and cultural beliefs which support the perpetrator feeling entitled to abuse, including:

(Source: CAS/VAW Joint Training Participant Manual, 2000)

The Community Report Card

The Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee has carried out four Report Cards on the Community Response to Domestic Violence. The report cards collected information from women and men who used community services because of domestic violence, and from service providers to provide a snapshot on how well we respond to woman abuse, and where improvements are needed. The findings and recommendations from the Report Card process are available on this page.

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Welcome

End Abuse Now is the website of the Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee. It provides information, resources and links for all members of the community on abuse and how we can work together to end it. We are always interested in your questions, feedback or ideas on how to make families, relationships and our communities safe and strong. Contact us or look for ways to work within your circle of friends and family to end abuse now.

Neighbours, Friends and Families

Neighbours, Friends and Families

The Grey Bruce Neighbours, Friends and Families campaign is underway. Click to see a photo of some of our Community Champions for the campaign who were at the November community launch in Owen Sound. Check the events calendar for upcoming NFF events. Contact us here for more information and to get involved.

National Clearinghouse on Family Violence Newsletter

National Clearinghouse on Family Violence 

January 2007 Newsletter

 Welcome - This month’s theme is Youth and Violence.

The National Clearinghouse on Family Violence E-bulletin is a bi-monthly newsletter for those interested in family violence prevention. It is produced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on behalf of the Family Violence Initiative (FVI) of the Government of Canada. We hope that this medium will further enhance our commitment to facilitate communications among Canadian family violence prevention stakeholders.

On behalf of the federal government and 15 member departments, the Public Health Agency of Canada coordinates the Family Violence Initiative.

For more information on the Clearinghouse and the Initiative, please visit
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/nc-cn

We want to hear from you! Please send your comments and feedback to our editor at:
ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Fast Facts – The United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children

The UN Secretary-General's Study on Violence Against Children is a global study undertaken by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the UN High Commission on Human Rights. The study documents the effects of violence on children and youth world wide and identifies best practices for prevention. The final report was released at the UN in New York City in October 2006. The following Web sites describe how children and youth participated throughout the Study and how they can continue to share their views:

Feature Article

New website informs youth about family violence

Justice Canada’s Family Violence Initiative has launched a Web site to inform youth about family violence.

Available at www.familyviolencehurts.gc.ca, the site uses colourful graphics and simple language to give young people information on:

  • the various forms of family violence;
  • Canadian laws and ways family violence is dealt with in Canada;
  • how to seek help, and
  • what youth can expect when seeking help.

The site is for youth who are experiencing family violence or know someone who is. It was designed with two distinct paths: one for children or pre-teens between the ages of 10 and 12, and the other for early teens between the ages of 13 and 15. It is also a useful resource for youth and others (such as teachers and social workers), who are interested in researching family violence in Canada.

For more information on the Web site, please contact Stan Farber (sfarber@justice.gc.ca), Counsel; Children’s Law Policy; Family, Children and Youth Section, Department of Justice Canada.


New Resources in the NCFV

Publications:

The NCFV offers more than 130 publications, including overview papers, reports, discussion papers and handbooks on family violence issues. NCFV publications are available free of charge, in hard copy or online, in English and French. To order, please visit our Web site or contact us.

New Publications for Distribution:

Abuse is Wrong in Any Language (Update)
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/pdfs/2006-abuse-wrg_e.pdf

A poster series on violence against children developed by youth for youth
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/new_e.html

Library:

The NCFV provides an extensive library reference collection, housed in the Health Canada Departmental Library. The following books may be borrowed through interlibrary loan. Please contact the NCFV for more information or visit our Web site: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/lib_e.html

New to the Library Reference Collection:

For new French resources please consult the French version of the e-bulletin found below.

Discourses of denial: mediation of race, gender, and violence, by Yasmin Jiwani, Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2006, 280 p.
[Call no.: ncfv/HN103.5/J61/2006] Publisher's abstract: http://www.ubcpress.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=4537

Handbook for working with children and youth: pathways to resilience across cultures and contexts by Michael Ungar,
Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, 2005, 511 p. [Call no.: ncfv/BF723.R46/H236/2005]
Publisher's abstract: http://www.sagepub.com/book.aspx?pid=11310

Playing at being bad: the hidden resilience of troubled teens, by Michael Ungar, Halifax: Pottersfield Press
2005, 255 p. [Call no.: ncfv/BF724/U722/2002] Publisher's abstract: http://www.pottersfieldpress.com/books/playingatbeingbad.html

more...

Videos:

In collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada, the NCFV offers a vast collection of videos that address family violence. Videos may be borrowed through NFB partner public libraries across Canada or through an interlibrary loan through your local public, academic, or institutional library. To obtain a complete list of videos, libraries and distributors, please contact us or vist our online video catalogue.

New to the Video Collection:

Your Truth is Your Truth — Child Abuse – Adults’ Responsibilities - This video is designed for service providers and other professionals who work with abused children. It explores issues such as reporting and related fears, managing disclosure, and the importance of communication and awareness in order to protect children from abuse. Through a series of interviews, professionals discuss their responsibility to address child abuse (2004).

Your Truth is Your Truth – Child Abuse – What You Can Do - This video, hosted by two 14 year olds, emphasizes to children that they have a right to be protected from abuse and encourages them to speak to a trusted adult to get help. Each section of the video is framed with discussion topics that a group leader can use to engage children in some of the more advanced concepts. This video should accompany Your Truth is Your Truth — Child Abuse – Adults’ Responsibilities. An electronic user guide is available at www.youthview.org (2004).

more...

Coming Soon to the NCFV

Publications:

• NCFV Publications Catalogue 2006-2007
• Family Violence and Homelessness: A Review of the Literature

Key Dates and Events (in chronological order)

February 25 - March 2, 2007 - Children’s Rights in Practice: Tools for Social Change 2007 (Training), Victoria, BC
www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=11114&flag=event

March 4 - 6, 2007 - Strengthening Canadian Communities: A National Showcase on Community Safety, Health and Well-being, Winnipeg, MB
www.cacp.ca/CSHW_SSBC/default.htm

March 8 - 10, 2007 - 2nd International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Victoria, BC
www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/FASD.htm

March 15 to 17, 2007 - 2007 - National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence, San Francisco, California, USA www.endabuse.org/health/conference/

March 21 to 24, 2007 - The Canadian Conference on Men’s Health, Victoria, BC
http://www.menshealthcanada.ca/main.cfm?cid=177

May 9-11, 2007 - 3rd International Conference on Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Research, Prevention, Intervention and Community Collaboration, London, ON, www.lfcc.on.ca/conference.html

Seeking Abstracts

2007 Canadian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference
Evidence, Action, Innovation: Moving to end Injury, Violence and Suicide in Canada

The Conference Program Committee invites you to submit abstracts for the 2007 Canadian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference:

Evidence, Action, Innovation: Moving to end Injury, Violence and Suicide in Canada
November 11 – 13, 2007
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DEADLINE- MARCH 31, 2007

Enter your abstract on-line at: www.injurypreventionconference.ca

more...

XIth ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
Supporting Prevention and Recovery from Child Abuse and Neglect: Role of Professionals, Communities and Families

The International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) invites you to submit abstracts for the upcoming XIth ISPCAN European Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect entitled, “Supporting Prevention and Recovery from Child Abuse and Neglect: Role of Professionals, Communities and Families.” This Conference is being organized by ISPCAN and The Association of Women against Violence (AMCV) and will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, November 18-21, 2007.

more...

Potential Funding Sources

Justice Partnership and Innovation Fund

The Department of Justice manages the Justice Partnership and Innovation Fund, which supports activities that respond effectively to the changing conditions effecting Canadian justice policy. Whether it is promoting or supporting newly reformed justice systems or improving the delivery of justice services, the Fund allows the Department to develop and test these approaches in collaboration with organizations, other levels of government and individuals whose technical expertise is valued.

Research

Introducing Dr. David Wolfe, Canadian Family Violence Researcher

Dr. David Wolfe is a psychologist and author specializing in issues affecting children and youth - including the formation of healthy relationships, bullying prevention, dating violence, unsafe sex, substance abuse and other consequences of unhealthy relationships. Dr. Wolfe is pioneering new approaches to preventing many societal problems. “Educating children and adolescents about forming healthy relationships should be a public health priority,” he says. Consequently, he developed The Fourth "R", a grade nine curriculum on forming healthy relationships, which is currently being piloted in selected Ontario Schools. more...

Research Centre:

Girls as Researchers: The Power of Knowledge to Create Change

Overview of Project, submitted by Helene Berman, PhD, RN, Principal Investigator

Intersecting Sites of Violence in the Lives of Girls is a national study, funded by Status of Women Canada, currently being conducted by community and academic researchers from the Alliance of Canadian Research Centres on Violence. For the overarching purpose of this work and an overview of the first phase of the project visit: http://www.unbf.ca/arts/CFVR/research-girls-violence.php

In the current phase, we are using a variety of creative research methodologies and approaches to elicit stories about violence in the lives of girls. Building upon the findings from our earlier research, our aim in the current project is to create ‘safe spaces’ where girls can boast and brag, be feisty, brazen, and proud; and where they can boldly or gently confront the contradictions and challenges of their everyday lives. A key part of this work will be to mentor girls and young women in the research process.

Reflections on the Impact of the Project, submitted by Alia, Peer Facilitator

My name is Alia and I am one of the peer facilitators in this project. I just want to briefly touch on how important this group is to us girls. I was in a ‘bad situation’ in the past year. And let’s just say if it wasn’t for the Research Coordinators and the Principal Investigator from the girls’ group I was in, my life would have been undescribable (in a bad way). I’m very thankful ‘til this day that I joined this group. Since then I have just felt so protected and supported by each member of this group. And I’m sure other girls feel this way too. Some people don’t understand how important it is for the group to be there just for the young women. It means a lot to us, helps us in many ways. It’s a really good feeling for us girls to just know that there are people to talk to, somewhere to go, where it’s safe, confidential, and warm. I think with my continuous participation in this project, and my life experiences, I can help and support many young women all around the world. And in this supportive environment, I think that our group of young women can take steps in creating opportunities for girls to come together and share their experiences and perspectives.

In this issue...

Information from a Family Violence Initiative partner department: The Canadian Forces Response to Family Violence

While there is no evidence to suggest that family violence is any more or less prevalent in the military community than it is within Canadian society at large, in recent years, the Department of National Defence (DND) has developed and implemented policies and programs to address the issue in the Canadian Forces (CF). more...

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Content of the NCFV E-Bulletin is provided as an information-sharing service and inclusion does not represent endorsement by the PHAC or FVI member departments.
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PASS IT ON: Please feel free to forward this e-bulletin to a friend or colleague. Past bulletins can be viewed and searched on our website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/e-bulletin/archives_e.html

To subscribe or unsubscribe:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/e-bulletin/suscri_e.html

National Clearinghouse on Family Violence: Telephone 1-800-267-1291 or (613) 957-2938; TTY 1-800-561-5643 or 613-952-6396; Fax (613) 941-8930; Web site http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/nc-cn; e-mail ncfv-cnivf@phac-aspc.gc.ca

 

Regular Meeting of the GBVPCC

This will be the final meeting before the summer for the GBVPCC.  The meeting takes place at the Men's Program, 925 2nd. Ave East in Owen Sound. Agenda items include:

Workplan and budget for 2010-1011

Report on involving women with experience in committee work

Plans for a Southwest Regional Police VAW Forum in November 2010

NFF Workplace Training June 7,8.

For more information contact Colleen at this website.

 

 

 

Building Inclusive Communities - Training Workshops on Racism and Discrimination

The Inclusive Communities Committee, a subcommittee of the Grey Bruce Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee is holding free workshops for agencies and workplaces in the Grey and Bruce to build more inclusive communities and workplaces. To date seven very successful workshops have taken place with community organizations in Grey and Bruce.
The workshops are 3 hours long and are a follow up from the Weaving Our Communities conference in 2007. Skilled facilitators will provide opportunities for participants to develop practical skills, understanding and tools to address racism and discrimination.
To arrange a workshop, or for more information, contact us through this website, or email cpurdon@bmts.com
You can view the Training Presentation at: http://www.slideshare.net/endabusenow/building-inclusive-communities-6

Counting Women In and How We Count: Tools for Action on Rural Poverty

Counting Women In:  A Toolkit for Rural Action on Poverty

This action toolkit includes five strategies to make poverty more visible in rural communities and to build hope for change.  Each strategy is accompanied by tools that were developed and piloted in Grey, Bruce, Huron and Perth with women and service providers.  The stratagies are:  Gather Women and Communities, Getting the Facts - Community Report Cards, Celebrating Women - Community Arts Project, Engaging Municipal Government, and Building Partnerships.

The Counting Women In Toolkit and additional online resources are attached.  For hard copies or more information contact us through the website.

 

How We Count:  A Handbook for Rural Women & Rural Communities on Poverty

This Handbook is a rich source of information on why rural women are poor, how to find and access services in Grey, Bruce Huron and Perth Counties, and how to survive poverty.  It was created by women and service providers and includes information on services, self care strategies and tips for navigating the system.  Additional information about current services in Grey - Bruce is available by calling 211.

A copy of the How We Count Handbook is attached.

 

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

In 1966 the United Nations declared March 21st to be the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  It is a day to celebrate the diversity of our peoples and to renew our committment to address all forms of racism and discrimination in our community.

Signing the Protocol

Signing the Protocol

Woman Abuse (Institutional)

Violence against women is the consequence of the social, economic and political oppression of women within the institutions of society. Institutional responses can include:

  • Gender bias in the legal system

  • Lack of accessible resources

  • Disbelief of abuse by professionals

  • Treatment of abuse as a medical illness

  • Racial bias among services

  • Inadequate educational and economic opportunities for women

  • Failure of the justice system to issue appropriate sentences which hold the perpetrator accountable

(Source: CAS/VAW Joint Training Participant Manual, 2000)

Regular Meeting of the GBVPCC

The regular meeting of the GBVPCC takes place at the Government Services Boardroom in Owen Sound.

Woman Abuse (Personal)

Woman abuse refers to violence by a woman's current or former spouse, intimate partner, or date. It clearly acknowledges women are often the victims of abuse and men are most often the perpetrators of abuse. While abuse most often occurs within an intimate heterosexual relationship, it also occurs within gay and lesbian relationships. Woman abuse may involve physical or sexual assault, emotional abuse and/or control of finances and access to family, friends and community. Woman abuse hurts, damages, humiliates, isolates, intimidates, traps and sometimes kills.

(Source: Neighbours, Friends and Families: Community Action Kit to Prevent Woman Abuse, 2006)

Weaving Our Communities Conference Report January 2008

The outcomes, action items and next steps from the Weaving Our Communities conference that was held in September 2007 are presented in this report.

We will be evaluating community action and plans for action that are underway since the September conference that brought 165 people of all ages and backgrounds together to address racism, discrimination and violence in alls its forms.

For more information contact cpurdon@bmts.com

Sexual Assault

The Ontario's Women's Directorate defines Sexual Assault as any unwanted act of a sexual nature (i.e. kissing, touching, oral or anal sex, intercourse or other forms of penetration) that is imposed on another person.

For more information on myths, facts, statistics and resources visit http://www.womanabuseprevention.com/html/sexual_assault.html

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is any unwanted attention of a sexual nature, like remarks about your looks or personal life. Sometimes these comments sound like compliments, but they make you feel uneasy. Sexual harassment can include:

  • degrading words or pictures (like graffiti, photos, or posters);

  • physical contact of any kind;

  • sexual demands.

Someone is harassing you if they are:

  • doing things to make you feel uncomfortable;

  • saying things to make you feel uncomfortable;

  • putting you at risk in some way

(Source: Education Wife Assault Website)

For more information on harassment check http://www.womanabuseprevention.com/html/harassment.html

The Grey Bruce Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee

The Grey Bruce Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee is the new name for the Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committe. Over 30 member organizations from the justice, corrections, child welfare, violence against women, education and social service sectors, working in Grey, Bruce, Nawash, Saugeen and Owen Sound collaborate to end prevent violence in all its forms.

Follow the links for more information about the committee work, its Terms of Reference, and a section for GBVPCC members.

The Mission of the Grey Bruce Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee is

"We are a community committee committed to effection collaboration and a proactive response to end violence in Grey and Bruce Counties."

The Vision of the Committee is

"Our vision is an inclusive community where all people live their lives free from all forms of violence and oppression and have equal access to the best of what the community has to offer."

 

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is any abuse of physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationship. Although both men and women can be victims of domestic violence the overwhelming majority of this violence involves men abusing women.

These crimes are often committed in a context where there is a pattern of assaultive and controlling behaviour. This violence may include physical assault and emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. It can include threats to harm children, other family members, pets and property. The violence is used to intimidate, humiliate or frighten victims or to make them powerless. Domestic violence may include a single act of abuse. It may also include a number of acts which may appear minor or trivial when viewed in isolation but collectively form a pattern that amounts to abuse.

Criminal Code offences include, but are not limited to homicide, assault, sexual threats/assault, threatening death or bodily harm, forcible confinement, harassment, stalking, abduction, breaches of court orders, and property-related offences.

Intimate relationships include those between the opposite-sex or same sex partners. These relationships vary in duration and legal formality and include current and former dating, common law and married couples.

In addition, the GBDVCC recognizes the impact of economic abuse on the health, well being and future of women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.
(Source: Modified from the Report of the Joint Committee on Domestic Violence, 1999)

Community Gathering on the 60 th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights

There will be a community gathering with speakers, discussion and refreshments at St. Georges Parish Hall to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This will be an opportunity to share conversation about human rights issues in a World Cafe setting. No Charge and Everyone is Welcome. For information call (519) 376-4670.

Family Violence

"Family violence" is a term that includes the many different forms of abuse, mistreatment or neglect that adults or children may experience in their intimate, kinship or dependent relationships. As our understanding of the nature and extent of violence within intimate relationships and families improves, and our insight deepens, the definition of family violence continues to evolve. During the past two decades, much public and professional attention has concentrated on family violence from the perspective of those who are victimized. In particular, the emphasis has been on: violence against women in intimate relationships or woman abuse including:

  • spousal abuse dating violence and other forms of violence against women

  • child abuse including physical abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, and emotional abuse (including exposure to spousal abuse); and

  • abuse of older adults.

There are many different forms of abuse, and a person may be subjected to more than one form.

Physical abuse may consist of just one incident or it may happen repeatedly. It includes:

using physical force in a way that injures someone, or puts them at risk of being injured including beating, hitting, shaking, pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking or assaulting with a weapon, rough handling, confinement, dangerous or harmful use of force or restraint, female genital mutilation is another form of physical abuse.

Sexual abuse and exploitation includes:

all forms of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual exploitation

  • forcing a person to participate in any unwanted, unsafe or degrading sexual activity

  • using ridicule or other tactics to try to denigrate, control or limit a person's sexuality or reproductive choices

  • using a child for sexual purposes—including fondling, inviting, manipulating or forcing a child to engage in sexual activity or intercourse

  • rape, sodomy or exhibitionism

  • involving a child in prostitution or pornography.

Neglect is often chronic and it usually involves repeated incidents. It includes:

  • failing to provide what a child or dependent adult requires for his or her physical, psychological or emotional development and well-being

  • failing to provide or denying food, clothing, shelter, cleanliness, medical care, protection from harm, or a sense of being valued and loved.

Emotional abuse includes:

  • harming a person's sense of self and putting them at risk of serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional or mental disorders

  • attacking a person verbally - for example, by yelling, screaming, name calling, criticizing, threatening or intimidating

  • using criticism, verbal threats, social isolation, intimidation or exploitation to dominate someone

  • routinely making unreasonable demands

  • criminally harassing or “stalking” - which may include threatening a person or their loved ones, damaging their possessions or harming their pets

  • terrorizing a person

  • exposing a child to family violence.

Economic or financial abuse includes:

  • stealing from or defrauding someone

  • withholding money to buy food or medical treatment

  • manipulating or exploiting someone for financial gain

  • denying access to financial resources

  • preventing a person from working, or controlling their choice of occupation.

Spiritual abuse includes:

  • preventing a person from engaging in their spiritual or religious practices

  • using a person's religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate, dominate or control them

  • ridiculing or denigrating someone's beliefs.

An abuser may use a number of different tactics to gain access to a victim, exert power and control over the victim, and prevent the victim from telling anyone about the abuse or seeking support. Abused adults or children are often in a position of dependence on the person who is abusing them: they may be abused by, for example, a parent, sibling, other relative, caregiver, guardian, spouse, same-sex or dating partner. Abuse is a misuse of power and a violation of trust. The abuse may happen once, or it may involve various tactics and occur in a repeated and escalating pattern over a period of months or years. The abuse may change form over time.

(Source: Department of Justice Canada Website. http://www.justice.gc.ca

Protocol Sub Committee Meeting

The Protocol Sub Committee meets in Port Elgin on May 7th at 9:30.

Southwest Regional DV Coordinating Committee Meeting

Domestic Violence Coordinating Committees in the South West Region meet December 1 in London ON at 900 Highbury Ave.