Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention By: Andy Batto + Taiwo Alao

What is Domestic Violence? “Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between people who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.”

The Stats Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. On average, every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner.  Each year, over 40,000 arrests result from domestic violence—that’s about 12% of all violent crime in Canada. Since only 22% of all incidents are reported to the police, the real number is much higher

Why Do People Abuse Their Partner Abuser grow up experiencing violence. Abusers are insecure so they try to control other people to give themselves a greater sense of power. Abusers don’t value or respect women. Abusers don’t know how to deal with their pain so they abuse others.

Types of Abuse Physical – Inflicting injury. Sexual – Coercing any sexual contact without consent. Psychological - Instilling fear. Emotional – Undermining victims sense of worth. Economic – Making the victim financially dependent.

Teen Dating Violence- Facts 1 in 10 teens report being intentionally physically hurt by their girlfriend or boyfriend 1 in 5 women, and around 1 in 7 men, who have been a victim of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, have experienced a form of dating violence between the ages of 11 and 17

Ten Warning Signs of Abuse Checking your cell phone or email without permission Constantly putting you down Extreme jealousy or insecurity Explosive temper Isolating you from family or friends Making false accusations Mood swings Physically hurting you in any way Possessiveness Telling you what to do

True or False? DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS VERY COMMON IN OUR SOCIERTY. TRUE: In a 2009 Canadian national survey, women reported 460,000 incidents of domestic violence in just one year.

True or False? DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OCCURS ONLY IN POOR, UNEDUCATED AND MINORITY FAMILIES. FALSE: Studies of domestic violence consistently have found that battering occurs among all types of families, regardless of income, profession, region, ethnicity, educational level or race.

True or False? THE REAL PROBLEM IS COUPLES WHO ASSAULT EACH OTHER. WOMEN ARE JUST AS VIOLENT AS MEN. FALSE: A well-publicized study conducted by Dr. Murray Strauss at the University of New Hampshire found that women use violent means to resolve conflict in relationships as often as men. However, the study also concluded that when the context and consequences of an assault are measured, the majority of victims are women. The U.S. Department of Justice has found that 85% of the victims of spouse abuse are female. Men can be victims, but it is significantly less common.

True or False? DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS RARELY A ONE TIME OCCURENCE. TRUE: Battering is a pattern of coercion and control that one person exerts over another. Battering is not just one physical attack. It includes the repeated use of a number of tactics, including intimidation, threats, economic deprivation, isolation, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse.

True or False? MEN WHO BATTER ARE OFTEN GOOD FATHERS AND SHOULD HAVE JOINT CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILDREN IF THE COUPLE SEPARATES. FALSE: Studies have found that men who batter their wives also abuse their children in 70% of cases. Even when children are not directly abused, they suffer as a result of witnessing one parent assault another. Batterers often display an increased interest in their children at he time of separation, as a means of maintaining contact with, and thus control over, their partners.

True or False? BATTERED WOMEN ARE MASOCHISTIC AND PROVOKE THE ABUSE. THEY MUST LIKE IT OR THEY WOULD LEAVE. FALSE: Victim provocation is no more common in domestic violence than in any other crime. Battered women often make repeated attempts to leave violent relationships, but are prevented from doing so by increased violence and control tactics on the part of the abuser. 

True or False? MEN HAVE A RIGHT TO DISCIPLINE THEIR PARTNERS FOR MISBEHAVING. BATTERING IS NOT A CRIME. FALSE: While our society derives from a patriarchal legal system that afforded men the right to physically chastise their wives and children, we do not live under such a system now. Women and children are no longer considered the property of men, and domestic violence is a crime.

Prevention Be assertive and leave if you feel uncomfortable Keep in touch with family and friends Have a safety plan

What To Do If You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence Call 911 and report the incident. If necessary, seek medical attention. Go to a safe place, such as a domestic violence shelter. File a restraining order.

Where Help can be Provided Emergency - 911 Hiatus House - (519) 252-7781 Sexual Assault Crisis Centre - (519) 253-9667 Teen Health Centre - (519) 253-8481

Hiatus House Emergency shelter and crisis intervention for women and their children experiencing domestic violence   Offers Transitional and Housing Support Program (THSP)   Assists abused women in securing social services as well as legal and counselling services in order to live in a violent-free environment   24-hour crisis line   Support groups offered for children who witness domestic violence in the home

Sexual Assault Crisis Centre Provides crisis intervention   Counseling   Education and information to victims   Development of community awareness of problems related to sexual assault and abuse   Support for family members and/or significant others  

Teen Health Centre Provides Primary Care and Mental Health counselling Services include support and treatment Focuses on youth between the ages of 14 and 24

Group Challenge What can you do, to make a difference in the fight against domestic violence? How can you help the community you live in?

What You Can Do Call the police if you see or hear violence in progress.   If you have a friend or co-worker who is afraid of his/her partner or who is being hurt, offer your support and refer them to where they can receive help.

What You Can Do When you are angry with someone, respond without hurting or humiliating them. Model a non-violent, respectful response to resolving conflicts in your community. Learn about domestic violence services in your community. Contribute your time or resources.