top of page
Holding Hands

Signs of Abuse
 

Measuring Violence Against Women

 

Violence against women has been recognized, at both the national and international levels, as a serious and  ongoing impediment to gender equality and women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms (United  Nations 1993). By understanding the various dimensions of this global problem through data collection and analysis, decision makers are better able to develop and evaluate measures designed to prevent and eliminate violence against women.

​

​

​

​

​

Top 10 Warning Signs

of Intimate Partner Violence

Warning Signs

1. Jealousy

One of the earliest warning signs of domestic abuse is jealousy.

 

If you are in a relationship where your significant other calls constantly, demands to know your whereabouts whenever you're not together, or accuses you of cheating - or worse, follows you, talk to a professional immediately.

4. Mood Swings

If you are in a relationship with someone who has uncontrollable mood swings, or is sweet one moment but rude and downright abrasive the next, this is an indication that abuse will follow - if it hasn't already started.

7. Controlling

If your significant other tries to control who you talk to or when you talk to them, this is a sign of other controlling behaviour, such as you having to ask permission to go out with a friend, etc.

10. Anger

Does your significant other punch walls, tables, call you names or try to instill fear in you? These are all signs that he will eventually be violent towards you.

2. Blame

If you are in a relationship where your significant other blames you for the way he feels, or if everything you say to your partner is interpreted in their eyes as a personal attack, this is a sign that your partner is looking for a fight and may eventually become violent during one of these altercations.

5. Rumours

If you have heard rumours that your new significant other has been abusive in his past, chances are - he was abusive.

 

He will almost always deny these accusations and claim that his past partner has falsely accused him of domestic abuse - however, rarely do women make up this kind of allegation.

8. Coerced into Sex

If your significant other coerces you into having sex with them when you do not want to, or if he becomes angry if you do not want to have sex - these are signs of an abusive relationship that could become violent.

3. Mistreatment of Animals or Children

Men who have abusive tendencies will mistreat animals or children. They are also usually unsympathetic towards others and ultimately, lack empathy.

 

They are disrespectful to you and to others - and their behaviour and attitude towards others gets worse over time.

6. Too Good to be True

If you enter into a relationship that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

If your new significant other wants to move in together, if things seem to be moving extremely fast, or if he talks about getting married right away, this is a warning sign that controlling behaviour may follow.

9. Isolation

If you're in a relationship where your partner tries to isolate you from the people who care about you, or tries to prevent you from going to work - this is a sign that you are in imminent danger.

 

Tell someone immediately.

The Cycle of Violence

Cycle of Violence
The Cycle of Violence

The Cycle of Violence is a three stage repetitive pattern. As it repeats it typically speeds up through the stages, and becomes more violent. It is a difficult cycle to break because of the constant return to the making amends stage, which brings a renewed sense of hope.

Myths About Abuse

​

MYTH: Domestic violence is usually an isolated incident.

FACT: Violence is a pattern of behaviour that exists in some relationship and develops worse and more frequent over time.

​

MYTH: If women really wanted to leave a violent relationship, they would.

FACT: Abused women leaving their partners are faced with the reality of severe physical assault or even death. Abusers may isolate their partners, depriving them of jobs, educational opportunities while maintaining control. This combined with unequal opportunities for women make it difficult for a woman to leave.

​

MYTH: It's only sexual assault if physical violence or weapons are used.

FACT: The Criminal Code definition of sexual assault includes a number of acts ranging from unwanted sexual touching, to sexual violence resulting in wounding, maiming or endangering the life of the victim. Most sexual assaults are committed by a man known to the victim. The man is likely to use verbal pressure and tricks such as administering drugs without the victim's consent, and.or threats during an assault.

​

MYTH: Unless she is physically harmed, a sexual assault victim will not suffer any long-term effects.

FACT: Any sexual assault can have serious effects on women's health and well-being. A Canadian survey found that 9 out of 10 incidents of violence against women have an emotional effect on the victim. Women who have been sexually assaulted feel anger, fear and can become more cautious and less trusting. Women who have experienced a history of victimization are at high risk for developing a lifetime of mental health problems. It is estimated that 30% of sexually assaulted women contemplate suicide.

​

MYTH: Women cannot be sexually assaulted by their husbands or boyfriends

FACT: Under the law, women have the right to say no to any form of sex, even in a marriage or dating relationship. The Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women found that 38% of sexually assaulted women were assaulted by their husbands, common-law partners or boyfriends. Although sexual assault within relationships has been illegal in Canada since 1983, few women report such incidents to police. Women experience long-term negative effects of partner sexual assault. The traumatic consequences of the sexual assault may be even more significant than those of non-partner sexual assault.

​

MYTH: Sexual assault is not a common problem

FACT: Sexual assault is experienced by Canadian women everyday - at home, at work, at school and on the street. The Violence Against Women Survey found that over one half (51%) of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual assault or physical violence. Of those 51% of Canadian women, 60% were the target of more than one incident. Research has found that 40% of women with disabilities have been assaulted, raped or abused. Further, it is estimated that 83% of women with disabilities will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

​

MYTH: The problem is not really violence against 'women.' Women are just as violent as men.

FACT: In about 90% of cases of domestic assaults, the man is the perpetrator. This may be uncomfortable, but it is true.

​

MYTH: Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers

FACT: Women face the greatest risk of sexual assault from men they know, not strangers. A 1998 study found that 33% of female victims of sexual assault age 18 and over were assaulted by a friend or a casual acquaintance; 25% by a family member (including a spouse or ex-spouse). When a woman knows the man who sexually assaults her, it is less likely that it will be recognized as a crime, even by her. These sexual assaults are no less a crime than those that are committed by strangers.

​

MYTH: The best way for a woman to protect herself from sexual assault is to avoid being alone at night in dark, deserted places such as alleys or parking lots.

FACT: 80% of sexual assaults occur in the home and 49% of sexual assaults occur in broad daylight. Most sexual assaults do not fit the 'stranger in a dark alley' stereotype. Currently, there is a trend towards non-consensual drug-induced sexual assaults.

​

MYTH: Women who are sexually assaulted 'ask for it' by the way they dress or act.

FACT: The idea that women 'ask for it' is often used by offenders to rationalize their behaviour. It also blames the victim for the crime, not the offender. Victims of sexual assault report a wide range of dress and actions at the time of the assault. Any woman of any age and physical type, in almost any situation, can be sexually assaulted. If a woman is sexually assaulted, it is not her fault. No woman ever 'asks' or deserves to be sexually assaulted. Whatever a woman wears, wherever she goes, whomever she talks to, 'no' means NO. It's the law. A drug-induced sexual assault is also non-consensual and therefore also means 'no'.

Myths About Abuse
bottom of page