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Physical abuse is when a person deliberately uses physical force against another, which causes, or could cause, harm. Physical abuse hurts your body and takes away your control of your own body. Someone can be physically abusive even if they aren’t using their body or a weapon to hurt you, for example; denying you medication that you need, or forcing you to take drugs or eat food to make you unwell. You don’t have to have bruises, scratches or marks on your body for it to be physical abuse.
Physical abuse is never acceptable or justifiable.
I’m red flagged with the police because he’s so dangerous. He’s poured petrol on me more than once with a lighter. I was fighting with a lighter and he’s hit me with brooms and broken my arms and hit me with guns and held a loaded gun to my head and he destroyed my life absolutely. I lost all my family, I lost all my kids, I lost all my friends, I lost everything. I was never allowed to say no. I wasn’t allowed to talk to anybody. He told me what to wear, when to shower, how to do my hair, everything. I was too scared to do anything or tell anyone.
I have problems with my neck because he pushed me around and I got nerve damage. He broke my nose and he knocked me out three times. I was in a brace for a year and couldn’t work. I still have problems with headaches.
He was my ex husband at the time. I didn’t live with him. We were separated and were divorced. He broke into my back door, broke the back door off its hinges, came in and attacked me and my child. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He was stalking me as well. He moved into the neighbourhood and he would watch me. I could see him drive past all the time and there was nothing I could do. The police couldn’t do anything until the incident happened and then I was able to get help.
Recognise behaviour that’s causing harm to you or an older person you know.
Listen to their story, let them know you understand what they are saying and how they are feeling.
Level of urgency. Is it an emergency? What are the threats? Is there a possibility of them hurting themselves or others?
Plan. If at risk, tell them you are concerned and call the Police. If it is not immediately serious, talk to them about a safety plan and where they could go for help.
Refer. Let them know you are there for them and help them find services.
Document. Keep a note of what you have done.
WSNTV is a community project to raise awareness, improve understanding, and take action to prevent family and domestic violence in the Peel region.
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