What is Emotional Abuse?
There is no universally accepted definition of
emotional abuse. Like other forms of violence in relationships,
emotional abuse is based on power and control. The following are
widely recognized as forms of emotional abuse:
Rejecting - refusing to acknowledge a person's
presence, value or worth; communicating to a person that she or
he is useless or inferior; devaluing her/his thoughts and feelings.
Example: repeatedly treating a child differently from siblings in
a way that suggests resentment, rejection or dislike for the child.
Degrading - insulting, ridiculing, name
calling, imitating and infantilizing; behaviour which diminishes
the identity, dignity and self-worth of the person. Examples: yelling,
swearing, publicly humiliating or labelling a person as stupid;
mimicking a person's disability; treating a senior as if she or
he cannot make decisions.
Terrorizing - inducing terror or extreme
fear in a person; coercing by intimidation; placing or threatening
to place a person in an unfit or dangerous environment. Examples:
forcing a child to watch violent acts toward other family members
or pets; threatening to leave, physically hurt or kill a person,
pets or people she/he cares about; threatening to destroy a person's
possessions; threatening to have a person deported or put in an
institution; stalking.
Isolating - physical confinement; restricting
normal contact with others; limiting freedom within a person's own
environment. Examples: excluding a senior from participating in
decisions about her or his own life; locking a child in a closet
or room alone; refusing a female partner or senior access to her
or his own money and financial affairs; withholding contact with
grandchildren; depriving a person of mobility aids or transportation.
Corrupting/Exploiting - socializing a person
into accepting ideas or behaviour which oppose legal standards;
using a person for advantage or profit; training a child to serve
the interests of the abuser and not of the child. Examples: child
sexual abuse; permitting a child to use alcohol or drugs; enticing
a person into the sex trade.
Denying Emotional Responsiveness - failing
to provide care in a sensitive and responsive manner; being detached
and uninvolved; interacting only when necessary; ignoring a person's
mental health needs. Examples: ignoring a child's attempt to interact;
failing to show affection, caring and/or love for a child; treating
a senior who lives in an institution as though she/he is an object
or "a job to be done."
Emotional abuse accompanies other forms
of abuse, but also may occur on its own.
No abuse - neglect, physical, sexual or
financial - can occur without psychological consequences. Therefore
all abuse contains elements of emotional abuse.
Emotional abuse follows a pattern; it is
repeated and sustained. If left unchecked, abuse does not get better
over time. It only gets worse.
Like other forms of violence in relationships,
those who hold the least power and resources in society, for example,
women and children, are most often emotionally abused.
Emotional abuse can severely damage a person's
sense of self-worth and perception.
In children, emotional abuse can impair
psychological development, including: intelligence, memory, recognition,
perception, attention, imagination and moral development. Emotional
abuse can also affect a child's social development and may result
in an impaired ability to perceive, feel, understand and express
emotions.
How Widespread is Emotional Abuse?
Only a few studies provide insight about the prevalence
of emotional abuse in Canada. Emotional abuse is difficult to research
because:
in comparison to other forms of abuse, its
effects have only recently been recognized;
there are no consistent definitions and
it is hard to define;
it is difficult to detect, assess and substantiate;
and
many cases of emotional abuse go unreported.
A recent study of Ontario investigations into child
maltreatment found that, in 1993, 10 percent of investigations alleged
emotional abuse.
In 1993, 39 percent of women in abusive relationships
reported that their children saw them being assaulted.
In 1995, the Canadian Women's Health Test found
that of 1000 women 15 years of age or over:
36 percent had experienced emotional abuse
while growing up; 43 percent had experienced some form of abuse
as children or teenagers; and
39 percent reported experiencing verbal/emotional
abuse in a relationship within the last five years.
Statistics Canada's 1993 Violence Against Women
Survey showed that among ever-married or common-law Canadian women
aged 18 to 65 years, emotional abuse is widespread. The study found
that:
35 percent of all women surveyed reported that
their spouse was emotionally abusive.
18 percent of women reported experiencing emotional
abuse but not physical abuse in a relationship.
77 percent of women reported emotional abuse
in combination with physical abuse.
In one Canadian study on abuse in university and
college dating relationships, 81 percent of male respondents reported
that they had psychologically abused a female partner.
In 1995, a study of seniors' client records from
various agencies across Canada found that psychological abuse was
the most prevalent form of abuse.
The 1990 National Survey on Abuse of the Elderly
in Canada estimated that:
4 percent of seniors residing in private
homes reported experiencing abuse and/or neglect.
Questions about insults, swearing and threats
were asked as a measure of chronic verbal aggression. The study
showed that 1.4 percent of seniors experienced these forms of emotional
abuse in the year prior to the study.
Chronic verbal aggression ranked as the
second most prevalent form of mistreatment following material abuse.
Facts to Consider
Emotional abuse of children can result in serious
emotional and/or behavioural problems, including depression, lack
of attachment or emotional bond to a parent or guardian, low cognitive
ability and educational achievement, and poor social skills.
One study which looked at emotionally abused children
in infancy and then again during their preschool years consistently
found them to be angry, uncooperative and unattached to their primary
caregiver. The children also lacked creativity, persistence and
enthusiasm.
Children who experience rejection are more likely
than accepted children to exhibit hostility, aggressive or passive-aggressive
behaviour, to be extremely dependent, to have negative opinions
of themselves and their abilities, to be emotionally unstable or
unresponsive, and to have a negative perception of the world around
them.
Parental verbal aggression (e.g., yelling, insulting)
or symbolic aggression (e.g., slamming a door, giving the silent
treatment) toward children can have serious consequences. Children
who experience these forms of abuse demonstrate higher rates of
physical aggressiveness, delinquency and interpersonal problems
than other children. Children whose parents are additionally physically
abusive are even more likely to experience such difficulties.
Children who see or hear their mothers being abused
are victims of emotional abuse. Growing up in such an environment
is terrifying and severely affects a child's psychological and social
development. Male children may learn to model violent behaviour
while female children may learn that being abused is a normal part
of relationships. This contributes to the intergenerational cycle
of violence.
Many women in physically abusive relationships
feel that the emotional abuse is more severely debilitating than
the physical abuse in the relationship.
Repeated verbal abuse such as blaming, ridiculing,
insulting, swearing, yelling and humiliation has long-term negative
effects on a woman's self-esteem and contributes to feelings of
uselessness, worthlessness and self-blame.
Threatening to kill or physically harm a female
partner, her children, other family members or pets establishes
dominance and coercive power on the part of the abuser. The female
partner feels extreme terror, vulnerability and powerlessness within
the relationship. This type of emotional abuse can make an abused
woman feel helpless and isolated.
Jealousy, possessiveness and interrogation about
whereabouts and activities are controlling behaviours which can
severely restrict a female partner's independence and freedom. Social
and financial isolation may leave her dependent upon the abuser
for social contact money and the necessities of life.
Emotional abuse can have serious physical and psychological
consequences for women, including severe depression, anxiety, persistent
headaches, back and limb problems, and stomach problems.
Women who are psychologically abused but not physically
abused are five times more likely to misuse alcohol than women who
have not experienced abuse.
Senior abuse is still a new issue and there is
still little research in this field on emotional abuse.
We do know that senior emotional abuse and neglect
can be personal or systemic and that it occurs in a variety of relationships
and settings, including abuse by:
a partner,
adult children or other relatives,
unrelated, formal or informal caregivers,
or
someone in a position of trust.
Seniors who are emotionally abused may experience
feelings of extreme inadequacy, guilt, low self-esteem, symptoms
of depression, fear of failure, powerlessness or hopelessness. These
signs may be easily confused with loss of mental capability so that
a senior may be labelled as "senile" or "incapable"
when in fact she or he may be being emotionally abused.
Abusers may often outwardly display anger and resentment
toward the senior in the company of others. They may also display
a complete lack of respect or concern for the senior by repeatedly
interrupting or publicly humiliating her or him. Not taking into
account a senior's wishes concerning decisions about her or his
own life is an outward sign of abuse.
Detecting Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse may be difficult to detect. However,
personal awareness and understanding of the issue is key to recognizing
it. The following indicators may assist in detecting emotional abuse.
Possible Indicators of Emotional Abuse and Neglect
Children
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Adults |
-depression
-withdrawal
-low self-esteem
-severe anxiety
-fearfulness
-failure to thrive in infancy
-aggression
-emotional instability
-sleep disturbances
-physical complaints with no
medical basis
-inappropriate behaviour for age or
development
-overly passive/compliant
-suicide attempts or discussion
-extreme dependence
-underachievement
-inability to trust
-stealing
-other forms of abuse present
or suspected |
-depression
-withdrawal
-low self-esteem
-severe anxiety
-fearfulness
-feelings of shame and guilt
-frequent crying
-self-blame/self-depreciation
-overly passive/compliant
-social isolation
-delay or refusal of medical treatment
-discomfort or nervousness around caregiver or relative
-suicide attempts or discussion
-substance abuse
-avoidance of eye contact
-other forms of abuse present or suspected
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Legal Interventions
Legal intervention in cases of child emotional
abuse and neglect is governed by provincial and territorial child
protection legislation. All jurisdictions require that alleged or
suspected child emotional abuse or neglect be reported to child
protection authorities or the police. In some jurisdictions, failure
to report child emotional abuse or neglect may result in a fine
or imprisonment.
Emotionally abusive behaviour such as repeatedly
following the other person or someone known to her or him; repeatedly
communicating, directly or indirectly, with the other person or
someone known to her or him; harassing the other person with telephone
calls; besetting or watching the other person's house or place of
work; and/or engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other
person or a member of her or his family is criminal harassment.
These behaviours must cause a person to fear for her or his safety
or the safety of someone she or he knows. Other forms of emotional
abuse such as insulting, isolating, infantilizing, humiliating,
and ignoring, although serious, are not criminal behaviours and
cannot be prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada.
What Can You Do?
IF YOU ARE BEING ABUSED:
Remember:
You are not alone
It is not your fault
No one ever deserves to be abused
Help is available
IF YOU SUSPECT OR KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS BEING ABUSED:
Listen
Believe
Support
Let the person know about available support
services
Report suspected or known child abuse or
neglect to a child welfare agency or the police
IF YOU ARE A SERVICE PROVIDER:
Work with other organizations to:
Increase awareness of emotional abuse
Address the needs of those who have been
or are being emotionally abused
Keep informed of resources and materials
relating to intervention and prevention of abuse
Where to Go for Support Services
-24 hour help-line or distress line
-transition house or shelter
-social service agency
-child welfare or family services agency
-police
-legal aid service
-health professional (e.g., nurse, doctor, dentist)
-community health centre
-public health department
-community counselling centre
-home support agency
-seniors' centre
-community living association
-friendship centre
-religious organization
Suggested Resources
Canadian Panel on Violence Against Women. Changing
the Landscape: Ending Violence -Achieving Equality. Ottawa:
Minister of Supply and Services, 1993.
Health Canada, Overview Papers on
Parent-Teen Relationships; Parent-Child Relationships; Wife Abuse
- The Impact on Children; Family Violence Against Women with Disabilities;
Family Violence Against People with a Mental Handicap; Wife Abuse;
Dating Violence; and Elder Abuse. Ottawa: National Clearinghouse
on Family Violence.
The Mental Health Division of Health Canada has
produced a number of publications on senior abuse and neglect which
are available through the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence:
Community Awareness and Response: Abuse and
Neglect of Older Adults, 1993, is a guide to community approaches
for service providers, seniors' organizations and interested community
members.
Publications on the abuse and neglect of older adults
in institutional settings include: Abuse and Neglect of Older
Adults in Institutional Settings: A Discussion Paper Building from
English Language Resources; Abuse and Neglect of Older
Adults in Institutional Settings: A Discussion Paper Building from
French Language Resources; Abuse and Neglect of Older
Adults in Institutional Settings: Annotated Bibliography;
and Resource and Training Kit for Service Providers: Abuse
and Neglect of Older Adults.
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: A Resource
Kit developed by the Caring Communities Project includes
"how to" handbooks, tools and activities, 20 case studies
of prevention initiatives and resource lists of books, programs
and videos. The kit is available in both English and French. Contact:
Canadian Institute of Child Health, 384 Bank Street, Suite 300,
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1Y4. Tel: (613) 230-8838; fax: (613) 230-6654;
e-mail: info@cich.ca.
Nobody's Perfect is a support and
educational program for parents of children from birth to age five.
This program is available in both English and French. Contact: obody's
Perfect National Office, 384 Bank Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 1Y4. Tel: (613) 237-7667, ext. 225; fax: (613) 237-8515; e-mail:
np-yapp@frp.ca.
Getting Our Message Out, developed
by the YWCA of Canada, 1995, is a handbook to help communities raise
awareness and take action on violence against women with particular
focus on the media. Fresh Start by Joan LeFeuvre,
1992, is a practical guide for women in abusive relationships. The
YWCA has also produced a kit There's No Excuse for Abuse
which provides basic information, ideas and actions on woman abuse
and is especially applicable for rural and remote communities. All
are available in both English and French. Contact: YWCA of Canada,
80 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1G6. Tel: (416) 593-9886;
Fax: (416) 971-8084.
A. S. A. P.: A School-Based Anti-Violence
Program by Marlies Suderman, Peter Jaffe and Elaine Hastings,
1993, is an evaluated, community-based program which addresses topics
applicable to elementary and secondary school communities. The program
includes sections on professional development, handling disclosures,
intervention strategies, overcoming roadblocks, developing an action
plan as well as many additional resources. Contact: London Family
Court Clinic, 254 Pall Mall Street, London, Ontario N6A 5P6. Tel:
(519) 679-7250; Fax: (519) 675-7772.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives: Interventions
for Older Victims of Abuse, by Nova House, 1995, is a manual
for service providers which proposes an interdisciplinary approach
to intervention strategies for seniors who are abused or neglected.
The manual also refers readers to resources and sources of support.
This document is also available in both English and French. Contact:
Nova House Women's Shelter, Box 337, Selkirk, Manitoba R1A 2B2.
Tel: (204) 482-7882; Fax (204) 482-8483.
A Handbook for the Prevention of Family
Violence, developed by the Community Child Abuse Council
Hamilton/Wentworth, 1991, is a resource text for school personnel,
community agencies, health care professionals, parents and volunteers.
The handbook addresses child abuse, dating violence, wife abuse,
children who witness wife abuse, and elder abuse. Contact: Community
Child Abuse Council of Hamilton/Wentworth, 75 MacNab Street South,
2nd Floor, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 3C1. Tel: (905) 523-1020; Fax:
(905) 523-1877.
Research Centres on Family Violence and
Violence Against Women: The five Research Centres form a
national network to achieve academic/community collaboration. Contacts:
BC/Yukon Feminist Research, Education, Development and Action Centre
(FREDA), Simon Fraser University, 515 Hastings Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia V6B 5K3. Tel: (604) 291-5197; Fax: (604) 291-5189.
Research Centre on Family Violence and Violence
Against Women, 413 Tier Building, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Manibota R3T 2N2. Tel: (204) 474-8965; Fax: (204)
261-3283.
Centre for Research on Violence Against
Women and Children, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 240, UWO Research
Park, London, Ontario N6G 4X8. Tel: (519) 858-5033, Fax: (519) 858-5034.
Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur
la violence familiale et la violence faite aux femmes (CRI-VIFF),
École de service social, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, succursale
A, Montréal, PQ H3C 3J7. Tel: (514) 343-6111; Fax: (514) 343-2493
or Université Laval, 2336 Chemin St. Foy, Local 0830, Pavillion
Jean Durand, Québec, PQ G1K 7P4. Tel: (418) 656-3286; Fax: (418)
656-3309.
Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family
Violence Research, P.O. Box 4400, 676 Windsor Street, Fredericton,
NB E3B 5A3. Tel: (506) 453-3595; Fax: (506) 453-4788.
Audio/Visual Resources Available through the
National Film Board of Canada
Put the Child First (Child Abuse Prevention)
Seen...But not Heard: A Docu-drama about the
Serious Emotional and Physical Effects on Children Who Witness Their
Mothers Being Abused
What About Us: A Group Counselling Tool to Help
Children Cope with the Experience of Having Witnessed Their Mothers
Being Abused
Right from the Start: Dating Violence Prevention
for Teens
One Hit Leads to Another (Violence Against Women)
Auguste and Blanche (Senior Abuse)
REFERENCES AND NOTES
This fact sheet was prepared under contract by
Laura E. Stevens. Contributions of the following people are gratefully
acknowledged: Rina Arsenault, Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for
Family Violence Research, Fredericton, N.B.; Teresa Lukawiecki,
Consultant, Ottawa, Ontario; Pearl McKenzie, Consultant, North Vancouver
B.C.; Jan Richardson, Women's Community House, London, Ontario;
David Wolfe, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario; and
Katalin Kennedy, Gis le Lacroix, Carol MacLeod, Barbara Merriam,
and Gordon Phaneuf of Health Canada, Family Violence Prevention Unit.
For further information on family violence issues,
contact:
National Clearinghouse on Family Violence
Postal Locator 1909D1
Family Violence Prevention Unit
Public Health Agency of Canada
Health Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1B4
Telephone: (613) 957-2938 or call toll-free: 1-800-267-1291
Fax: (613) 941-8930
For TTY/TDD users (Telecommunications Device for
the Deaf) (613) 952-6396 or call toll-free: 1-800-561-5643
This publication can be made available in an
alternative format upon request.
April 1996
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