CF Family Violence Prevention and Awareness Campaign Family

CF Family Violence Prevention and Awareness Campaign Family Awareness

What does family violence mean to you?

Why do people turn to violence?

Myths: True or False

One in four people has been, or is being, abused.

A violent person has a mental illness.

Family violence is usually caused by alcohol misuse.

Certain attitudes cause people to behave violently.

People that are abused like to be abused.

There is no excuse for violence. The person responsible for it is the one who inflicts it.

Types of Violence þ Emotional abuse þ Injury to pets þ Psychological abuse þ Physical abuse þ Neglect þ Sexual abuse þ Financial exploitation þ Homicide þ Destruction of þ Criminal harassment property (stalking)

Physical Abuse þ þ þ Pushing or hitting someone Throwing or breaking objects Punching the wall Kicking the door down Mistreating an animal Abuse that involves actions…

Verbal Abuse þ þ þ Yelling, insulting, reprimanding for little things Making threats Criticizing Giving orders Humiliating Abuse you can hear…

Economic Abuse þ þ þ Not letting the person have money Controlling the person’s access to money Preventing the person from working Not letting the person know about household income or how it is spent Abuse that makes a person dependent…

Sexual Abuse þ þ þ Conjugal rape Denying any physical contact or sign of affection out of revenge Sexually degrading the person Harassing the person Abuse that affects intimacy…

Escalation of Violence A common pattern is: ¨ Psychological to verbal ¨ Verbal to economic ¨ Economic to sexual ¨ Sexual to physical ¨ Homicide/suicide

The Cycle of Violence Tension building Honeymoon Acute violent incident Justifying and blaming

Cycle of Violence ¨ The more the cycle repeats itself, the more frequent and severe the violent incidents become.

Those who Abuse A portrait ¨ Child who was abused or witnessed abuse ¨ Believes in traditional gender roles ¨ Rigid and impulsive ¨ Blames others ¨ Socially isolated • • Underlying reasons ¨ Emotional dependence ¨ Low self-esteem ¨ A need to feel safe, to control

The Survivor of Abuse A portrait ¨ Child survivor of abuse or witness ¨ Believes in traditional gender roles ¨ Tendency to excuse, downplay ¨ Socially isolated ¨ Low self-esteem Underlying reasons: ¨ Love and hope ¨ Guilt and shame ¨ Family and social pressures ¨ Dependence and fear

Impact on the Survivor of Abuse Physical impact: Visible physical injuries, scars, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, headaches, stomach problems, respiratory problems, fatigue, various health problems

Impact on the Survivor of Abuse Psychological impact: Fear, sadness, shame, guilt, powerlessness, loss of selfesteem and self-confidence, stress, anxiety, loss of personal identity, dependence, broken relationships with loved ones, isolation, depression, and suicide

Impact on the Person who Abuses ¨ Depression ¨ Loss of self-esteem ¨ Legal problems ¨ Problems at work ¨ Possibility of retaliation by the person who is abused ¨ Continuity of the violence

How Can You Help? ¨ Take A Stand Against Family Violence ¨ Provide support ¨ Refer ¨ Other ways to become involved?

When a Person who is Being Abused Decides to Leave ¨ ¨ ¨ Respect their decision Make sure they understand the risks Be supportive Make sure they will be safe Put them in touch with available resources

When a Person Being Abused Decides to Stay ¨ Respect their decision ¨ Tell them you are there for them ¨ Find out how you can stay in touch with them ¨ Develop a safety plan with them ¨ Tell them about available resources

Remember ¨ Respect what they’re going through ¨ Establish trust ¨ Respect what they say ¨ Empower the person being abused ¨ Respect their pace ¨ Ensure confidentiality

Where Can You Get Help?

Insert local MFRC number, website, etc. Take a Stand! Make the Call!