We’ve created 31 Actions for Gender Justice to raise awareness, spark conversations and take action that transforms gender and power relations, and the structures, norms and values that underpin them. Every day for the month of March we will highlight an action that advances gender equity and justice for International Women’s Day (IWD).
Know the Signs of Domestic Abuse
31 Actions for Gender Justice: Day 7
This is by no means an exhaustive list! There’s so much more that we can do to advocate for political, economic and social changes.
March 7th Action 7. Know the Signs of Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence doesn’t always look the same. If you are experiencing abuse or you are not sure, contact BWSS:
Call: 604.687.1867 (Toll-Free 1.855.687.1868)
Text: 604.652.1867
Email: intake@bwss.org
We provide a secure environment in which women are free to express themselves without being judged or threatened.
Some of the signs of domestic abuse:
Your intimate partner…
- Tells you that you never do anything right
- Criticizes your appearance
- Insults, diminishes, or shames you, especially in front of other people
- Monitors your phone, social media, computer, or car GPS
- Controls your finances, takes your money without permission, refuses to pay money loaned from you
- Blackmails you
- Is trying to isolate you from family and friends
- Twists the story when discussing something that happened in the past. You may hear: “I didn’t do that”, “I was joking”, “I didn’t push you”, “you’re crazy”, “you are lying”, “you are overreacting”, “you’re imagining things”, “you made me angry”. This is gaslighting and it’s a form of manipulation.
- Prevents you from making your own decisions
- Shows extreme jealousy of friends and family
- Pressures or forces you to have sex or perform sexual acts you’re not comfortable with
- Threatens to leave you or take your children and/or pets
- Is verbally and/or physically abusive
- Accuses you of having an affair
- Is controlling
- Other: yells, calls you names, patronizes you, lectures you § Belittles your accomplishments
Some signs are more obvious than other ones. Mental and emotional abuse may be harder to spot, but it certainly feels ‘like death by a thousand cuts’.
We are here to talk with you, provide emotional support, and safety plans: Support Survivors.
