Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) can take many forms. Many victims are unaware they are recipients of DVA. Especially if they do not experience physical violence. Also perpetrators may be unaware that what they are doing could be considered abuse.
DVA occurs when a partner exerts power and control over their partner. It affects people of all ages, races, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identification, sexual orientation, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It does not discriminate.
PHYSICAL ABUSE (Violence, or threats of violence)
- Hitting, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, or other physical harm
- Using objects or weapons to cause harm
- Physical restraint
- Preventing partner from eating or sleeping
- Threatening to repeat physical harm
EMOTIONAL / VERBAL / PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE (Insults, threats, isolation, extreme jealousy, and controlling behaviours)
- Name-calling, belittling, humiliation
- Yelling and screaming
- Controlling what partner does, what they wear, and where they go
- Isolation from friends and family
- Threatening to commit suicide if partner leaves
- Threatening to kill partner, their loved ones, or pets
- Destroying something important to partner
- Gaslighting: manipulating partner into questioning their own sanity
- Blaming partner for abusive behaviour
SEXUAL ABUSE (Unwanted sexual contact, forcing pregnancy, or forcing partner to terminate pregnancy)
- Persistent unwanted comments about partner’s body or sexuality
- Unwanted kissing or touching
- Threatening or coercing partner into unwanted sexual activity
- Rape or attempted rape
- Preventing access to contraception, refusing to use it, or purposefully damaging it
- Harming partner in order to force miscarriage
- Purposefully infecting someone with a sexually-transmitted infection
- Filming/photographing without consent
OTHER TYPES OF ABUSE
Tech Abuse: Constantly demanding to look through partners phone, monitoring their emails and texts, posting hurtful information or pictures on social media, or sending threatening texts or emails.
Financial Abuse: Using money to manipulate and control partner, or not allowing them to work or go to school, not giving them money for necessities, or stealing their money or possessions. Hindering employment.
Stalking: A pattern of following, monitoring, or harassing someone, causing them to fear for their safety. May use tech.
Spiritual: Forcing someone to, or not allowing someone to, practice a religion.
Outing: Making threats to, or outing someone, especially for members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Withholding Medication or Equipment: Especially for those experiencing a disability.
