Our use of the word violence is inclusive of all misuse of power to abuse be it verbal, emotional, spiritual, etc.

Here are some definitions of what abuse might look like:

Emotional or Verbal Abuse is the most difficult form of abuse to identify and is very hurtful to the person being abused. It may include:

Personal put downs:

criticisms, name calling
yelling, screaming, swearing
public embarrassment
"silent treatment"

Threatening gestures:

driving dangerously
harming pets or property
smashing things
verbal threats

Controlling activities:

isolating
pressuring
insulting
blaming

Other expressions of anger, jealousy and possessiveness.

Physical Abuse includes any unwanted physical contact and may include:

Restraining
Confinement
Physical assault
Violence
Rough treatment
Pushing
Spitting
Grabbing
Choking
Pinching
Kicking
Slapping
Punching
Biting
Use of a weapon

Sexual Abuse occurs when any sexual behaviour is unwanted. It includes:

• Date rape, legally defined as sexual assault. Threats are often used to gain the compliance of the victim. It does not matter if there has been consenting sexual behavior prior to the abuse.
• Any unwanted sexual touching
• Coercing sex with anger or guilt
• Using sexual words to humiliate you
• Age inappropriate exposure to sexual information or imagery, or the lace of appropriate information

Financial Abuse
Mismanaging finances to neglect the needs of the household
Withholding access to household finances.

Do you or someone you know need
a safe place to stay?

Call
1-800-563-0808
to find a transition house or emergency shelter close to you.

The transition house or shelter may provide:

• emotional support and counselling
  
• legal, medical and financial advocacy
  
• food and emergency clothing
  
• support from others in similar situations

In an emergency call the police at 911
or the operator and ask for the police.

1. Our use of the word violence is inclusive of all misuse of power to abuse be it verbal, emotional, spiritual, etc.

2. Feminine pronouns are used throughout, since women are 8 times more likely to be victimized by a spouse than are men (Fitzgerald, 1999). When men are abused, the effects and pastoral responses are the same. We are concerned for abuse of all whether male or female, adult or children.