What is Woman Abuse?

The first thing to understand is that woman abuse is all about control. While anger and violence are usually part of it, the main thing that characterizes gender-based violence is a pattern of coercive tactics that a woman's partner uses to control her. It's not about marital conflict; lots of relationships have conflict without one partner resorting to threats, intimidation, humiliation and violence to dominate the other.

 

There is a well-recognized cycle to abuse. Tension gradually builds in the first phase; then, an abusive incident occurs; this is followed by a period of calm and maybe apologies, affection and attempts to make amends. As time goes on and the cycle repeats, tension starts to take less time to build, the abuse becomes worse, and the apologies may disappear.

 

The "abuse" might involve physical acts, like pushing, grabbing, punching, choking or throwing objects. It could involve forced sexual activity. It might be damaging property or hurting pets, forced confinement or isolation, degrading acts or words, threats of suicide or hurting others, or control over a woman's money or activities. 

 

If this sounds like you or someone you know, there are resources to help.

 

 

This information is available in a pamphlet in 5 languages - English, French, Hebrew, Russian & Spanish from JWIC at no charge. Contact JWIC at 1-866-333-5942 or at info@jwicanada.com

 

 

 

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