All about abuse

Recognize it! Stop it! Recover from it!

Think that if you're not being physically abused by your partner, then you're not being abused?

Not always true.

You may very well be in a relationship that is draining something from you, not recognizing that your partner is eroding your self-esteem and happiness.

That's abuse.

See the signs.

View EASA brochure (PDF, 730 KB)

Emotional Abuse Signs Awareness (EASA)

Abuse takes different forms. Emotional abuse is the precursor to most cases of physical domestic violence. According to recent UN statistics, the occurence of emotional abuse by an intimate partner is much higher than that of physical abuse. Recognizing the early signs is key to stopping abuse before it causes damage.

September is Emotional Abuse Signs Awareness month. Read more about the devastating effects that this form of abuse can have on us.

Get help now! Here's how:

In Australia, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline @ 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In New Zealand, contact the Women's Refuge hotline @ 0800 Refuge (0800 733 843).
In Canada, visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website and select the province in which you reside.
In Europe, visit the European Commission's list of hotlines and select the country in which you live (there are 46 countries listed).
In Hong Kong, phone the Hong Kong Federation of Women's Centres hotline @ 2386 6255.
In South America, consult this list of hotlines (by country/region).
In the United States, call The National Domestic Violence hotline @ 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). There are more than 200 languages serviced.

If you can't find a number for your country or region, please try contacting your local resource centre or domestic violence shelter.

Don't wait.

What is abuse?

Abuse is not simply physical violence.

It is a systematic pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person in an intimate relationship.

How? Through fear and intimidation.

View brochure »

Recognizing abuse

Many women assume that if they're not being physically abused by their partner, then they're not being abused. That's not necessarily true.

You may still be in an abusive relationship. Learn to see the signs.

Learn More »

Domestic violence

In an intimate realtionship, physical abuse is almost always preceded by emotional abuse. The two are closely related.

If you can regognize the signs, you can break this pattern, and reduce domestic violence.

Learn the signs »

Useful books

Below is a list of books that you may find helpful (you should find any of these at your local library; submit a request for purchase, if unavailable).

Start Here:

A Crash Course in Understanding, Navigating, and Healing From Narcissistic Abuse

— by Dana Morningstar

Healing from Hidden Abuse

A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse

— by Shannon Thomas, LCSW

Emotional Blackmail

When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation, and Guilt to Manipulate You

— by Susan Forward