Topic 7 – Violence and Abuse

This material is based on the violence prevention initiative of the Government of Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada’s easternmost province. There is a link to their webpage in the Resources section at the end of this course.

Forms of abuse

Violence and other forms of abuse are most commonly understood as a pattern of behaviour intended to establish and maintain control over the family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or communities.

Violence and abuse can involve various tactics of subtle manipulation or may occur frequently while escalating over a period of months or years. In any form, violence and abuse profoundly affect individual health and well-being. The roots of all forms of violence are founded in the many types of inequality which continue to exist and grow in society.

Violence and abuse are used to establish and maintain power and control over another person, group or community and often reflect an imbalance of power between the victim(s) and the abuser(s).

Violence is a choice, and it is preventable.

There are nine distinct forms of violence and abuse:

1. Physical violence;
2. 2.   Sexual violence;
3. Emotional violence;
4. Psychological violence;
5. Spiritual violence;
6. Cultural violence;
7. Verbal Abuse;
8. Financial Abuse; and,
9. Neglect