What is Abuse

Abuse is a pattern of controlling behaviour used to gain and maintain power in a relationship by one partner over the other. The abuse often occurs gradually and may include the use of fear, intimidation, threats and violence. These behaviors are intentional and not the fault of the woman. Women do not choose abuse. They choose the earlier days of the relationship when they may have been swept off their feet by a seemingly charming partner. An abusive partner, however, turns out to be someone quite different than the person with whom they fell in love.

The graphics below demonstrate the cycle of abuse and how power and control issues are at the core of abusive behaviours.