Domestic Violence

People are often surprised when they learn the broad legal definition of domestic violence, which includes not only physical violence and harm but also emotional and psychological abuse, financial abuse, social abuse, sexual abuse, following, harassing, monitoring, systems abuse, property damage, cultural and spiritual abuse, and exposing children to family violence.

We, unfortunately, often see a pattern of coercive, controlling violence throughout the relationship, with a range of abusive behaviours aimed at dominating a spouse and their children. This type of abuse can go hand in hand with alcohol and drug use, as well as dysfunctional personality traits.

We also see people who have experienced situational couple violence, particularly in the lead-up to separation. In contrast to coercive, controlling violence, situational couple violence is the use of physical aggression without the context of control. Situational couple violence tends to happen when people are poor communicators and are unable to have a disagreement without resorting to aggression.