Family violence is a cruel reality that touches countless numbers of lives, frequently in hidden ways that are imperceptible to outsiders but enormously hurtful to those who live it. Family violence is most fundamentally any kind of abuse employed to control or injure a family member or someone with whom one has an intimate relationship. It is more than physical abuse—family violence can take a variety of different forms, such as emotional, financial abuse, and neglect. Sometimes it occurs in one incident, but most often it’s a sequence that worsens over time and leaves deep scars.
Physical violence is likely the most apparent type. It includes deliberate use of force leading to pain or harm, from pushing and shoving to violent acts such as strangling, stabbing, or even homicide. Each act is illegal, with immediate and long-term consequences.
Emotional abuse may be more difficult to spot, but it is equally damaging. It means controlling, intimidating, or isolating a person with words or behavior that breaks down their self-esteem and sense of security. It can be threats, insults, continuous put-downs, or controlling what a person sees or does. Although not all emotional abuse is against the law, some, such as threats or stalking, are illegal.
Financial abuse is another harmful type of control, in which money or assets are used as a tool. This may involve stealing someone’s money without their agreement, not giving someone money to control them, or coercing a person into signing something against their will. Most instances of financial abuse are criminal, like theft and fraud, but they tend to go unseen or unreported.
Neglect is more subtle but no less destructive. Neglect occurs when a dependent member of the family is denied the bare necessities of life—food, clothing, medical care, or supervision. Neglect is a criminal offense if it is perpetrated against children or vulnerable adults, and authorities will step in to safeguard those at risk.
Family violence does not discriminate—it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, age, or background. Intimate partner violence is prevalent and can happen in marriages, common-law relationships, or dating relationships, and may persist even after the relationship breakup. This abuse is mostly about control, as one partner controls everything from what to wear to who to hang out with and how money should be spent. The abuse also escalates over time, which may result in severe physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Kids are especially susceptible, both as direct participants and as witnesses to violence in the home. Even if they do not witness the abuse directly, its aftermath can leave severe emotional and developmental scars. Exposure to domestic violence has the potential to bring long-term issues, among them behavioral problems and a higher risk of violent conduct later in life.
Abuse of the elderly is also on the rise. It can involve physical or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect by a person in trust. It is carried out at home, in the community, or care facilities and usually goes unreported due to fear or dependency.
Certain types of family violence are driven by social or cultural pressures, including violence related to “honour” or forced marriage. These actions are criminal irrespective of motive and may involve beatings, threats, imprisonment, or murder. Female genital mutilation is also considered child abuse, with no medical benefits and serious long-term harms.
The magnitude of family violence is overwhelming. National polls and police statistics indicate that family violence is responsible for a large percentage of all violent crime, with thousands of victims annually. Most cases remain unreported, so the actual figures are probably far higher. The impact spreads beyond the immediate victim to affect families, friends, and communities as a whole. Physical and mental well-being can be harmed, resulting in lost income, problems with work, and decreased involvement in life. Kids who are victims of violence can have emotional and behavioral difficulties well into adult life.
The financial toll is staggering. Spousal abuse alone costs billions of dollars a year, including medical, lost productivity, social services, and justice system costs. Though much of the expense is invisible—pain, anguish, and death—the cost is also substantial to governments, individuals, and private agencies.
Although prevalent, family violence is not always apparent. It is difficult to report for many victims because of fear, shame, or lack of resources. Because of this underreporting, it is hard to determine the depth of the issue and the necessity for more awareness, assistance, and intervention. Understanding the various forms of family violence is the initial step towards ending the cycle and assisting the victimized in safety and recovery.