INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE

Physical abuse, including assault, is the intentional use of force against a person without that person's consent. It can cause physical pain or injury that may last a long time. Physical abuse includes:

• pushing or shoving

• hitting, slapping or kicking

• pinching or punching

• strangling or choking

• stabbing or cutting

• shooting

• throwing objects at someone

• burning

• holding someone down for someone else to assault

• locking someone in a room or tying them down

• killing someone

All of these acts are crimes in Canada.

Sexual abuse of an adult can include:

• sexual touching or sexual activity without consent

• continued sexual contact when asked to stop

• forcing someone to commit unsafe or humiliating sexual acts

All sexual contact with anyone without consent is a crime. This includes sexual touching or forcing sexual activity on a spouse, a common law partner or a dating partner. Even when married, a spouse cannot be forced to have sexual contact.

Emotional abuse happens when a person uses words or actions to control, frighten or isolate someone or take away their self-respect. Emotional abuse is sometimes called psychological abuse. It can include:

• threats, put downs, name calling or insults

• constant yelling or criticism

• controlling or keeping someone from seeing friends or family

• making fun of preventing someone from practicing their faith or religion

• destroying belongings, hurting pets or threatening to do so

• bullying: intimidation or humiliation (including on the Internet)

Many forms of emotional abuse are not crimes but can be signs that the abuse might get worse. Some forms are crimes such as:

• threats to harm the person or someone else

• criminal harassment (stalking) which involves following or repeatedly contacting a person when they don't want contact and they are afraid.
  

Financial abuse happens when someone uses money or property to control or exploit someone else. It can involve:

• taking someone's money or property without permission

• withholding or limiting money to control someone

• pressuring someone to sign documents

• forcing someone to sell things or change a will

Most forms of financial abuse are crimes, including theft and fraud.

Neglect happens when a family member, who has a duty to care for you, fails to provide you with your basic needs. This can involve:

• not providing proper food or warm clothing

• failing to provide adequate health care, medication and personal hygiene (if needed)

• failing to prevent physical harm

• failing to ensure proper supervision (if needed)

Spouses and common-law partners have a duty to care for each other. Adults have a duty to care for their dependent children as well as their dependent parents. Some forms of neglect are crimes in Canada, including failure to provide the necessities of life and child abandonment.