It’s often difficult for many people to understand what domestic violence truly is, and to identify its various forms. This lack of clarity can unfortunately delay both recognizing the problem and taking appropriate action.
Domestic violence is a specific type of family violence, also known as intimate partner violence. It’s frequently downplayed or concealed within a relationship. This kind of violence is a serious violation of fundamental human rights and is often gender-based. It involves much more than just physical aggression or beatings. For victims, understanding domestic violence and recognizing its many manifestations is a crucial first step, and it’s also the starting point for pursuing legal action.
Our domestic violence and personal injury lawyers help victims assert their rights.
Definition of domestic violence
Domestic violence, also called spousal violence or intimate partner violence, is defined as a set of repeated acts, intentional or unintentional, carried out by an intimate partner with the aim of controlling, dominating or maintaining power over the other. It can occur in any intimate relationship : marriages, common-law unions, dating relationships or recent separations. It does not only concern violence against women, but also against men. The term “domestic violence” also refers to what many institutions call violence between intimate partners, whether cohabiting or not.
This type of violence is not always visible. It does not only manifest itself in physical blows or injuries. It can be psychological, verbal, economic, sexual or even technological. The hold exerted on the victim is often progressive. What makes the situation difficult to identify is the alternation between moments of abuse and periods of calm or reconciliation.
Different forms and types of domestic violence
Domestic violence can take many forms. These different forms may coexist, overlap or evolve over time. Each form acts as a lever of control over the victim. According to the Department of Justice, domestic violence includes a wide range of abusive behaviors, and is not limited to physical harm. The Gouvernement du Quebec officially recognizes several forms of domestic violence, and has made prevention a priority. Here are the main forms of domestic violence:
Physical violence
This refers to any aggression that affects the victim’s physical integrity. It includes hitting, slapping, choking, burning, biting, shoving, shaking or using objects to hit. Some acts of physical abuse leave no visible traces, making them difficult to report. Physical violence can also take the form of denial of care, confinement or exposure to dangerous situations. Even though physical violence is often the most recognizable form of abuse, it’s usually just one aspect of the control exerted by an abuser.
Psychological violence
Emotional or psychological violence is a form of violence that is often invisible, but it is particularly destructive. It includes constant criticism, threats, manipulation, guilt-tripping, threats of suicide to prevent separation, intimidating stares, control of emotions or actions, and isolation. The aim is to create fear, confusion and doubt in the victim’s mind. This type of control and emotional abuse between partners creates an unstable emotional climate, gradually eroding psychological resistance and reinforcing dependence.
Verbal violence
Verbal violence is a form of abuse and consists of insults, mockery, humiliation, shouting, and hurtful or disparaging words. It is often downplayed, but has serious cumulative effects on mental health. Repeated comments that belittle or destabilize are used to weaken the victim and reduce their self-esteem.
Sexual violence
In the context of domestic violence, sexual violence includes any sexual activity imposed without free and informed consent. This includes unwanted sexual contact or touching, marital rape, the imposition of degrading sexual practices, forced intercourse under the influence of fear or blackmail, or the deprivation of contraception. It can also take the form of sexual control, pathological jealousy or body surveillance. Quebec law recognizes that consent can never be presumed in a context of conjugal domination.
Economic violence
This type of violence aims to deprive the victim of financial autonomy. It takes the form of controlling income, confiscating credit cards, forcing the victim to justify purchases, forbidding a person to work or study, or forcing them into debt. Financial abuse within a couple is used to make the victim dependent and therefore unable to leave the home without losing their material security.
Social violence
Social violence consists of isolating the victim from those around them: friends, colleagues, family. The aggressor criticizes or devalues people close to the other person, sabotages relationships or forbids all outside contact. This type of isolation cuts the victim off from his or her support network, making it more difficult to leave. This is one of the most effective ways of maintaining a hold.
Spiritual or religious violence
This form is less frequently mentioned, but it does exist. It aims to ridicule the victim’s religious beliefs, or to forbid their practice and impose a contrary spiritual vision. It can also consist in using religious precepts to justify the aggressor’s authority or to forbid separation. It affects the victim’s deepest identity, undermining their values and spiritual bearings.
Cyberviolence
Technology is increasingly used to monitor, control or harass. Cyberviolence includes phone spying, e-mail monitoring, unauthorized access to personal accounts, publication of humiliating content online, and forced geolocation. In some cases, the threat of divulging intimate images is used to exert pressure.
Power and coercive control
This describes a pervasive and subtle pattern of behavior where the aggressor consistently uses a strategy of domination. It is not a question of one-off acts, but of a set of behaviors: imposition of strict rules, control of time, clothing and relationships, constant surveillance. Coercive control is now recognized as a highly dangerous factor that can lead to spousal homicide.
Administrative or legal violence
Sometimes called “post-separation violence”, this occurs when the aggressor uses legal procedures (child custody, pensions, reports, abusive complaints) to harass or maintain control over the victim. This phenomenon is common in situations of conflictual separation, and can considerably prolong the hold.
Instrumental parental violence
In this case, the abuser uses the children to control or manipulate the other parent. This can take the form of threats of abduction, parental denigration in front of the children, emotional exploitation of the children or deliberate non-compliance with custody agreements.
The cycle of domestic violence
Cases of violence often follow a cyclical pattern, even if the frequency and intensity may vary from one couple to another. It’s a repetitive dynamic that enables the abuser to maintain their hold on the victim. It generally consists of four phases:
- Tension build-up phase: the aggressor creates a climate of fear and threat, often through heavy silences, threatening glances or bad temper. The victim feels increasing tension. The aggressor becomes irritable, impatient and angry. The victim tries to minimize the conflict to avoid an explosion.
- Aggression phase: it involves an act of violence. The aggressor uses violence to diminish, hurt or humiliate their partner. The victim feels fear, shame, anger, injustice, powerlessness or sadness. This is the moment of aggression. It can be brief but intense.
- Justification or guilt phase: the aggressor seeks to minimize the act, deny responsibility or reverse roles. He may accuse the victim of having “provoked” the situation. The victim doubts their own perceptions and accepts the aggressor’s justifications.
- Reconciliation phase: the aggressor seeks to regain the victim’s trust by showing kindness, offering gifts or promising to change. The victim regains hope and believes the abuser’s promises.
This cycle can last for years. With each repetition, the reconciliation phase tends to become shorter and eventually disappear, giving way to unremitting violence on the part of the partner.
Consequences of domestic violence
The repercussions of domestic violence are far-reaching. It can lead to physical trauma and injuries, some of which are irreversible. Psychologically, it leads to anxiety, isolation, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and a collapse in self-esteem. Sleep disorders, self-destructive behavior and suicidal thoughts are common. Long-term maltreatment can lead to emotional collapse and chronic mental health conditions.
Children who are exposed to violence and abuse, even indirectly, may experience severe developmental issues, even if they are not directly affected: developmental disorders, aggression, withdrawal, chronic fear. While both men and women can be victims, women and girls remain disproportionately affected by domestic violence.
What to do if you are a victim
It is possible to get out of this situation. It starts with acknowledging the facts. You are not responsible for what happens to you. You have the right to protection. There are shelters, hotlines and specialized counselors you can access. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. You can also file a complaint with the authorities or consult a lawyer to initiate civil proceedings.
A lawyer specializing in personal injury and moral damages can help you assert your legal rights. They will assess the damage, advise you on possible courses of action and guide you every step of the way. You may also have the right to services via legal aid, depending on your financial situation.
Get legal help for domestic violence
Domestic violence can take many forms, some of which are invisible. It follows a destructive cycle that isolates and weakens the victim. If you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions, remember you are not alone. Violence against a partner should never be left unacknowledged. It must be identified, reported and dealt with. To take legal action in a case of domestic violence, you need solid legal support from the very first signs of aggression. Contact a specialized lawyer.
At Medlégal, we help victims of domestic violence with all their legal needs. We assess the physical damage suffered and help you obtain compensation.
