Police AssociAtion of novA scotiA 95 Department of Justice Canada Abuse is Wrong What is abuse? Abuse is behaviour used to intimidate, isolate, dominate or control another person. It may be a pattern of behaviour or it may be a single incident. Abusive behaviour might involve acts or words or even neglect. Abuse happens when someone hurts or mistreats you. Abuse can happen to anyone: someone in a family or someone in a dating relationship, a spouse or former spouse, a partner in an intimate relationship or former partner, a child, young person, or older person. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial. You may experience more than one type of abuse. Examples of physical abuse are: These types of physical abuse are examples of assault.* Assault is a crime in Canada. Sexual touching or sexual activity is abuse if you do not consent or if you are too young to consent. This is also a crime in Canada, even in a dating, partner, spousal or family relationship. Emotional or psychological abuse might include: • criminal harassment* (stalking) • making threats to harm you • breaking your things, hurting your pets or threatening to do so • isolating you from friends and family Some examples of financial abuse are: • taking your pay cheque or money without permission • withholding money so that you cannot pay for things you or your children need, such as food, shelter or medical treatment • making you sign documents to sell your house or to change your will These are crimes in Canada. Bullying is a form of abuse that can happen in a relationship or in a family. It may be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial, or a combination. Some forms of bullying may be crimes. Some examples of bullying may be: • hitting, kicking, pushing or shoving • taking your money and other possessions • making threats or acting in an intimidating way • constantly teasing you or calling you names • spreading hurtful rumours • ignoring you and making you feel left out Anyone—man or woman, adult or child—who is suffering from abuse or who is acting in a violent way is encouraged to get help. In an emergency Call 9-1-1 or your local police. Run outside so other people can see you unless you think you will be safer inside. Scream—let the neighbours hear so that they will call the police. • hitting • pinching • slapping • pushing • punching • kicking • burning • shooting • stabbing or cutting Criminal harrassment (stalking) is a crime. The following actions might be examples of criminal harassment if they cause you to fear for your safety or the safety of a loved one: • watching you or tracking where you go • leaving threatening messages • making threats to you, your children, family, pets or friends • calling you over and over again, and perhaps hanging up when you answer • constantly sending you e-mail messages • sending gifts you do not want continued...
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