FAMILY/RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 

When people talk about violence in families and relationships they are usually talking about abuse. Abuse includes a range of behaviours from intimidation and threats to physical or sexual assault. An abuser uses these to gain power and control over the victim and to try and take away their sense of self worth.

Examples of Abuse

Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional and financial. The following are only a few examples of abusive behavior:

• Humiliating or degrading you while alone or in front of others

• Yelling at you, insulting you or calling you names

• Isolating you by stopping you from leaving home, using the telephone, or having visitors

• Not letting you have any money

• Controlling and limiting what you do, where you go, who you see, and what you wear

• Breaking your things and damaging property

• Threatening you, your children, your pets, or someone you know

• Forcing you into sexual activity you don't want

• Shoving, slapping, choking, punching or kicking you

• Hurting you with an object of any kind

Check out this quiz - 'How Healthy Is My Relationship?'