Physical, sexual assault, emotional, psychological intimidation, degradation, deprivation and exploitation. Children who witness this behavior are also seriously affected. One in every ten women in Canada (approximately one million women) is abused by her partner each year. Wife abuse is in every community, every region, every province and territory. There are fourteen departments within the Federal government actively involved in the development of a national approach to family violence including wife abuse.
Why do some women stay with their partners?
She fears for her life. Her partner threatens to hurt or kill her if she leaves. She cannot afford to support herself and/or children. She feels she has to keep the family together; and wants the children to have a father. Family members want her to stay. Her partner makes her feel guilty and tells her the abuse is her fault anyway. She has no confidence, so she thinks she can't do it on her own. Her partner promises it will never happen again.
SHE CANNOT STOP HIS VIOLENCE, HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OWN BEHAVIOR
What is Family Violence?
Family violence is physical mistreatment, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. Family violence often goes unreported. In the meantime family members may suffer. People may become violent for power and control, stress, family background or isolation. Family violence may continue due to lack of alternatives, fear or shame, isolation, lack of protection, ignorance, hope and love. Help is available in many places throughout your community. You can find help from telephone help lines, parental stress services, family and social services, clergy or religious groups, safe homes, support groups, hospitals, and police departments. Family violence can be prevented if we as family members recognize the signs, realize the need for help, and take steps to seek that help.
Protection Planning
Protection planning is a vital step in helping an individual who experiences abuse in domestic relationships. A protection plan will get the individual and children to a safe place when they are in danger. The plan includes where to go and what you will need to take with you, if you're forced to leave your home to escape from a violent partner.
When do you need a protection plan?
If you are in an abusive relationship
When you are living within the Cycle of Violence, you need to be prepared to get yourself and children to safety when you feel an attack is about to happen.
If you have recently left an abusive relationship
If you remain in the family home, it is possible for you partner to return and threaten or assault you again. If you leave the family home, your partner may search for you and threaten or assault you.
In either case you must be prepared to find safety quickly.
Elements of a Protection Plan
1. Identify the signs that tell you an assault is about to take place.
2. Decide on a safe place you can go with your children.
3. Decide how you will get there.
4. Decide how you will escape from your home if an attack is about to take place
5. Decide what to take when you leave
*Do not stay to take belongings if it endangers you or your children.*
Remember!
A victim of domestic violence will often feel like the only one being abused... that isn't true. Abuse happens to people from all backgrounds and all neighborhoods. Rich and poor, educated or not-domestic violence is a reality countless people face on a daily basis.
We are here to provide support for change!
WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN PREVENT WIFE ABUSE!