Safety Plan
What is Family Violence?
Family violence is a power imbalance, where one person tries to control another. The aggressor often uses intimidation, fear and abuse to maintain that control. Many people believe that family violence is only physical abuse. However, family violence takes many different forms. It may also be psychological, sexual, financial or spiritual.
Includes hitting, pinching, slapping, pushing, punching, kicking, burning, stabbing or shooting. It may also include threats to cause harm.
Sometimes referred to as emotional or psychological abuse. Name calling, jealousy, isolation from family and friends, and threats to leave the relationship or to commit suicide if the victim does not co-operate.
Unwanted touching or sexual activity. It may include control over birth control, forced pregnancies or abortions and transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
When an individual uses finances to control another individual. This could include forcing a person to hand over all or part of their salary or by denying someone access to their own finances.
When an individual uses religious or spiritual matters to control another, such as forcing another to follow a particular faith or give up their religion.