Domestic Violence

Physical violence involves intentional acts that cause or could cause physical injury, pain or distress. It can include :

• Direct physical attacks: Hitting, slapping, pushing, pinching, biting, choking, etc.
• Use of objects: Throw objects at the victim, use them as weapons (knives, belts, etc.).
• Physical intimidation: Striking close to the victim, threatening him with objects, pinning him in a space.
• Restriction of freedom of movement: Preventing the victim from leaving a room, a car or the home.
• Violence against property: Breaking personal objects, damaging housing, killing pets.

Psychological abuse aims to undermine the victim’s self-esteem, to control and manipulate them. It can take the form of :

• Humiliation and denigration: Constant criticism, insults, degrading remarks about appearance, abilities, intelligence.
• Threats and intimidation: Threaten to hurt the victim, her family or pets, threaten to leave her, take away her children.
• Control and surveillance: Monitor company attendance, activities, communications (telephone, social networks), and keep a constant watch.
• Isolation: Removing the victim from family and friends, cutting them off from resources.
• Emotional blackmail: Using the victim’s emotions to manipulate and control her.

Verbal abuse is characterized by the use of hurtful, humiliating and threatening words. It can include :

• Insults and name-calling: Calling the victim degrading names, insulting them about their appearance, origins, etc.
• Screaming and yelling: Use an aggressive, threatening tone to intimidate the victim.
• Sarcasm and mockery: Mocking the victim, ridiculing him or her in public or private.
• Denigration: Devaluing the victim, minimizing their achievements, making them feel inferior.

Economic violence aims to control the victim’s financial resources and make her financially dependent on the abuser. It can take the form of :

• Controlling finances: Managing the couple’s money without consultation, depriving the victim of money, controlling her spending.
• Occupational sabotage: Preventing the victim from working, criticizing their work, harassing them in the workplace.
• Financial exploitation: Using the victim’s money for personal gain without her consent.

Sexual violence encompasses any non-consensual act or behavior of a sexual nature. It can include :

• Sexual assault: Any unwanted sexual contact, with or without penetration.
• Sexual harassment: unwanted sexual remarks or advances, jokes or comments of a sexual nature.
• Sexual coercion: Using force, threats or manipulation to obtain a sexual act.
• Exhibitionism and voyeurism: Exposing intimate parts or looking at a naked person without consent.
• Violence sexuelle conjugale: Forcing unwanted sexual relations on a couple.