1. Violence and Abuse in Relationships
HHS4U Blyth Fairbloom

2. KWL
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Record what you know and what you want to learn about violence and abuse in intimate relationships
Throughout the lesson you are welcome to add to the chart, especially in the L (what you have learned) section

3. Definitions
Violence: an act intended to physically hurt another person
Abuse: taking advantage of a less powerful person
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Financial Exploitation
Forms:
Physical assault
Psychological abuse
Restriction of movement
Deprivation
Sexual abuse
Homicide

4. The Most Frequent Patterns
Impossible to estimate frequency of partner violence
Assault is reported by both women and men
In 2007 abuse was reported to police by:
340 women out of 100,000 population
50 men out of 100,000 population
Frequency of reported violence against women is higher
Men may be reluctant to report abuse
Spousal violence is 12% of reported violent crime in Canada

5. Abusive Patterns are set Early
Those who abuse while dating continue
Intergenerational transmission of behavior:
A child who witnesses parental violence is likely to repeat: either as abuser or as abused
Violence is “normal” behavior to the child

6. Frequent Pattern of Partner Abuse by a Male
Violence-relaxation cycle
Increasing intensity of abuse (ex. belittling comments, verbal abuse, physical abuse)
A crisis (physical violence, injury)
“Honeymoon” period
Cycle begins again

7. Why do Women Tolerate? Commitment to relationship Social roles
Financial dependency
Threats against children
Optimism that “this time its’ going to work out”

8. Ending an Abusive Relationship
Threats, harassment and assaults can continue after ending a relationship
Police intervention may be only partially successful
Women’s shelters and second-stage housing

9. Homicide
Spousal homicides are 17% of all homicides and 47% of family homicides in Canada
For women, the likelihood of being a victim of spousal homicide increases sharply after separation

10. Child Abuse Frequency: Very difficult to get reliable figures
Very young children cannot report, older children may be afraid to report
In 2007 the rate of police- reported physical and sexual assault against children and youth was higher than the rate for adults
Adolescents at greatest risk
Physical: violence that produces injuries
Psychological and emotional: damage to child’s self-image and esteem
Neglect: failure to provide for and protect a dependent child

11. Child Abuse
Children and youth are most likely to be physically and sexually assaulted by someone they know
Family member
Friend or acquaintance
Stranger
Sexual Abuse of Children by Family Member:
Reliable figures
Often the parent, especially the father
Abuse of your boys diminishes as they grow older; abuse of girls increases with age
Growing awareness that pedophilia is not a rare phenomenon

12. Children who Witness Violence
One in 12 children between the ages of 4 and 7 witnesses violence at home
Having witnessed violence has both immediate and long-term association with children’s aggression and anxiety

13. Theories of Family Violence
About
Situational Theory
Abuse occurs when the abuser is under stress
Social Exchange Theory
Social interaction involves rewards and penalties. Rewards outweigh costs
Symbolic Interaction Theory
Emphasizes the actual behavior and the meanings both people find in this behavior
Feminist Theory
Violence is the result of patriarchy, which allows men more power than women and asserts that it is right for them to have the power

14. Leslie Morgan Steiner
Watch the video: “Why domestic violence victims don’t leave.”
lie_morgan_steiner_why_dom estic_violence_victims_don_t_l eave/transcript?language=en
Add to your KWL charts
You are welcome to take additional notes on your computer or separate lined paper

15. Jackson Katz Watch “Violence against women – it’s a men’s issue.”
_s_a_men_s_issue/transcript?language=en
Add to your KWL charts
You are welcome to take additional notes on your computer or separate lined paper

16. How can you learn more?
Use the rest of class to visit any of the links below. There are 6 stories about violent and abusive relationships; we have only watched two.
Here is the link to the other videos: personal-stories-of-domestic-abuse/
Another great article to look at is “Dating, Domestic Violence and Our Children”:
You can also visit if you want to learn more and/or support the fight against abuse.

17. Reflection
Write 300 – 500 words reflecting on what you knew, what you wanted to know and what you learned from watching the videos on violence and abuse in relationships.
Refer to the KWL chart to help you write your response.
Be sure to check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in your writing.
Make connections to your own life.