Signs of Abuse

The following list describes various examples of abuse. If one or more of these things is happening to you, there is very good chance that you are being abused.*

  • Physical Abuse:any aggressive behaviour directed toward your body, such as pushing, squeezing, shaking, biting, grabbing, slapping, punching, kicking, choking etc. It also includes throwing objects or using a weapon.
  • Emotional/Verbal abuse: the use of insults, criticism or name-calling to lower your self-esteem.
  • Sexual Abuse: any sexual activity which happens without your consent. This includes touching, kissing, oral contact and any manner of intercourse.
  • Child Sexual Abuse: a child is inappropriately exposed or subjected to sexual contact, activity, or behavior including prostitution related activities.
  • Financial/Economic Abuse: ensures that you do not have, or do not have control of an income. Further isolating you and ensuring your dependence.
  • Spiritual Abuse: includes ridiculing your spiritual beliefs or forbidding you to attend or participate in the spiritual institution and traditions of choice.
  • Denial and blame: by blaming you for the abuse or denying that it occurs will leave you confused, unsure, and unable to respond.
  • Neglect: withholding medication or food or other necessities of life, and/or not assisting with matters of hygiene.
  • Intimidation: looks or gesture or outright threats to hurt other family members, pets, your children, your property, yourself or themselves is a way of controlling your behaviour and destroying your sense of security and creating a feeling of fear.
  • Isolation: limiting your contact with your family, friends or other support network, requiring permission to leave your home, making you account for your every moment, or checking up on you repeatedly makes you deal with your situation alone.
  • Power: Your input for major decisions, your role in the relationship, your choices in terms of home and social life are made for you. You may be treated like a servant or possession.

These situations are designed to limit your independence, to make you feel powerless and without hope. We are here to help you find the options you have and to support you in the choices you make. For discreet, compassionate aid all it takes is one call...

* Adapted from the Alberta Solicitor General, Victims Programs, Victims Advocate-Training Manual.