Health Outline Unit 3: Violence, Safety and Risk Taking Behaviour Day 1: Abusive Relationships Day 2: Personal Safety, Risk, and Injury Prevention Day 3: Drug use and Risk Day 2 Day 4: Stress Response and Taking Risks Day 5: Conflict Resolution and Responsible Decision Making

Abusive relationships

Violence: The exertion of harsh language and/or physical force that causes damage, pain, injury, or fear Abuse: The mistreatment of a person that results in physical, emotional and/or psychological harm.

Abuse Statistics - Statistics Canada Half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is being sexually assaulted. One to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada.

Abuse Statistics - Statistics Canada Spousal violence makes up the single largest category of convictions involving violent offences in non-specialized adult courts in Canada over the five-year period 1997/98 to 2001/02. Over 90% of offenders were male. Thirty-six percent of female victims of spousal violence and less than 10% of victims of sexual assault reported these crimes to the police in 2004.

Abuse Statistics - Statistics Canada Physical and sexual abuse costs Canada over $4 billion each year (factoring into account social services, criminal justice, lost employment days and health care interventions).6 Violence against women occurs across all ethnic, racial, religious, age, social and economic groups. Some women are more vulnerable however, and are more likely to experience violence, including women with disabilities, geographically-isolated women, young women and Aboriginal women.

Abuse All forms of abuse– physical, sexual, emotional and neglect are all against the law and can lead to jail time.  

Physical Abuse Bodily harm inflicted on another person Although some cases of abuse may be obvious, others are hard to detect. An abuser may be careful in where they hit the other person so that the marks are hidden by clothing. The marks may also be attributed to an accident. Ex. I walked into a door. The marks may be hidden by the victim which can make it even harder to detect

Physical Abuse Why do people hide it?

Sexual Abuse Sexual behaviour between an adult and adolescent, or a non-consenting person A minor is not legally able to give consent Age of consent in Canada is 16 (statutory rape if younger) Two Exceptions: Age 12 -13 can consensually have sex with someone a maximum of two years older. Age 14-15 can consensually have sex with someone a maximum of five years older

Sexual Abuse Victims are usually abused by someone that they know Because most victims never come forward it is hard to obtain actual stats. Victims can have a great difficulty forming close relationships Counselling is recommended.

Neglect Failure of a parent or guardian to provide the basic needs of a person in his or her charge (child or adult)

Emotional Abuse Emotional mistreatment of another person. Criticism, or failure to show affection and love. Although the effects of emotional abuse may not be as visible as physical abuse the effects can be just as devastating. Often causes very low self esteem

Child Abuse Illegal treatment committed by an adult against a child that involves use of physical, sexual, or emotional force, cruelty, or neglect. More than 90% of child abuse cases are inflicted by family members. Many victims end up running away from home and become “street kids”

Lack of money, unemployment, or alcohol and drug abuse. Child abuse Children are abused for various reasons: Lack of money, unemployment, or alcohol and drug abuse. Abusive parents usually expect the children to be more responsible than what is normal at their age. Children who were abused often become abusers themselves. The cycle can be stopped

Spouse Abuse Abuse of one’s husband or wife. 58,486 - the number of women who sought refuge in one of 473 shelters across Canada between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004. Overall, there were 543 known shelters in Canada providing residential services to abused women and their children. 62 - the number of female victims of spousal homicide in 2004

Spouse Abuse In 2006, over 38,000 incidents of spousal violence were reported to police across Canada, indicating that spousal violence makes up approximately 15% of all violent incidents In the majority of battery cases. The aggressor had been drinking or using drugs.

Spouse Abuse Why do the victims stay Abused women often stay in the relationship because they do not have enough money to get out on their own. Many are more afraid of what will happen if they leave than if they stay. The white pages in the phone book offers help under “Battered Women”

Peer Abuse Hazing is defined as any physical or psychological abuse associated with initiation into a club, team or group. Criminal charges have been laid in many cases where injury and death have occurred

Help for Victims of Abuse Report Abuse Immediately Police, Child services, teacher, counsellor. Counselling is available for both the victim and the abuser.

Controlling Relationships Controlling Relationships can lead to emotional, physical and sexual abuse Warning signs you may be in a controlling relationship They are possessive You apologise very often Quick attachment and expression Your supports are removed (friends and family)

Public Embarrassment Friends and Family dislike them They make you crazy Discounted feelings / opinions It’s always your fault

Questions I Why is neglect grouped in with the other forms of abuse? What effects can an abusive relationship have on a person? Why is it sometimes difficult to detect abuse? Why is it sometimes hard for people who are being abused to leave the abuser?