Some
important words about family violence
“ Family violence” is a term that includes many different forms of
physical or psychological abuse or neglect. It can be experienced by adults or
children in a family.
Many forms of family violence are crimes, including:
| · |
physical
abuse (such as hitting, punching, kicking, burning, cutting,
stabbing, forcibly confining or shooting); |
| · |
sexual abuse
(such as any unwanted sexual touching or sexual activity and
any sexual conduct with children) |
| · |
some forms
of psychological abuse (such as threatening violence, destroying
property, stalking), |
| · |
financial
abuse (such as taking a pay cheque, failing to provide the necessaries
of life). |
Other forms of family violence are not crimes but are often signs that violence
will get worse (such as yelling, humiliating, controlling movements).
Family violence can have serious - and sometimes fatal - consequences for victims
and those that witness the violence.
If your spouse physically or psychologically abused you or your children, your
family's future safety becomes of primary concern. There are many people and
organizations available to help you in this situation, such as lawyers, social
workers, counsellors, support groups or your local shelter or transition house.
Traditional mediation or counselling with your spouse may not be appropriate
in these circumstances. However, in some provinces or territories, specialized
counselling procedures have been developed to support couples when there are
concerns about violence. Working together doesn't always mean sitting in the
same room.
At Russell
Alexander, Family Lawyers our focus is exclusively family law. To find
out more about our services, we invite you to contact
us or call the firm at 1.866.647.6335 |
