Get informed : Violence

WHAT IS FAMILY VIOLENCE?

Family violence is violence between members of the same immediate or extended family. Family violence can take the form of any of the types of violence described above. Both parents and children may be aggressors or victims.


THE FORMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

Conjugal violence:

• Is violence that one spouse inflicts on the other
• May have as much impact on you as if you yourself were experiencing the violence
• May put you through all sorts of emotions: powerlessness to prevent what’s going on, fear, sadness, anger, disappointment...
• May change your perception of your parents and of others
• May sometimes lead you to become violent towards one of your parents or towards others
• Requires that you seek help

Violence towards a parent:

• Is violence committed by an adolescent (or a child, although this is less common) towards a parent
• May be physical or psychological
• Is a form of role reversal in which the parent loses authority and the adolescent takes it
• May have psychological consequences on the parent, the adolescent, and other members of the family
• May take various forms: hitting, making unrealistic demands, deliberately toying with a parent’s feelings, going missing in order to make the parent worry, refraining from signs of affection, attempting to control the household or a parent’s life, disrupting a parent’s romantic life
• Requires that you seek help

Violence towards a child or adolescent:

• Is physical, psychological, or sexual violence of a parent or other member of the family towards a child or adolescent
• Has a great impact on all members of the family
• May put you through all sorts of emotions: powerlessness, fear, shame, guilt, loss of self-confidence...
• May change your perception of your parents and of others
• May make it hard for you to remain alert and motivated at school
• May sometimes lead you to become violent towards others
• Requires that you seek help

Don’t try to work it out all by yourself! If you are experiencing family violence or are yourself violent towards members of your family, it is important to seek help (read more here about how to get help if you are experiencing family violence).

Visit www.laviolencefamilialefaitmal.gc.ca