Brock University Support Staff

Below is a post on a sensitive topics. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, please know that it’s okay to step away. If you need to talk to someone, please call 1-877-330-3213.

Resources at Brock

https://brocku.ca/health-wellness-accessibility/crisis-resources

https://brocku.ca/human-rights/gender-sexual-violence

https://brocku.ca/human-resources/efap

What Is Domestic Violence?

From the Government of Canada website:

There are many forms of violence, including physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse.

The different forms of abuse can also occur in a range of relationships and contexts. Some examples of various types of family violence are intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, violence based on so-called “honour” and forced marriage.

Forms of violence

Family violence is not just physical violence. A person can be the victim of one or more forms of violence or abuse including:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect

Intimate partner violence

Some staggering statistics from the website:

Gender-related homicide of women and girls 

• Between 2011 and 2021, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada. Of these homicides, two-thirds (66%) were perpetrated by an intimate partner, 28% a family member, 5% a friend or acquaintance and the remaining 1% a stranger^Footnote16 .
• While the rate of gender-related homicide of women and girls has generally declined since 2001, there was a 14% increase between 2020 and 2021 (from 0.48 to 0.54 victims per 100,000 women and girls), marking the highest rate recorded since 2017^Footnote16 .
• In 2021, the rate of gender-related homicide of Indigenous victims was more than triple that of gender-related homicides of women and girls overall (1.72 versus 0.54 per 100,000 women and girls)^Footnote16 .
• In 2021, the rate of gender-related homicide in Canada was more than 2.5 times greater in rural areas compared to urban areas (1.13 versus 0.44 per 100,000 women and girls)

What are the warning signs that someone may be experiencing domestic violence?

From the Canadian Labour Congress website:

Some warning signs that someone may be experiencing domestic violence may include:

• Physical injuries such as broken bones, a black eye or loss of hearing, which people who are experiencing abuse may attribute as “accidents” or “from being clumsy”
• Inappropriate clothing for the season (such as long sleeves or turtlenecks in the summer or wearing sunglasses indoors)
• Uncharacteristically late or absent from work, wanting to work extra hours to avoid going home
• Change in job performance: errors, slowness, lateness, absenteeism, lack of concentration
• Sudden signs of anxiety and fear
• Making special work requests (such as to leave work early)
• Generally acting isolated and quiet
• Emotional distress including sadness, depression, or suicidal thoughts
• Minimizing or denying harassment or injuries
• Excessive phone calls, emails or text messages. Reluctance to respond to phone messages. Others at work may overhear or witness insulting messages intended for the victim
• Sensitivity if people ask about home life or trouble at home
• Disruptive visits in the workplace by past or current partner
• Fear of job loss
• The sudden appearance of gifts (such as flowers) after an apparent dispute between the couple
• Using drugs and/or alcohol to cope

These warning signs are intended to help direct your intuition and ask questions. Never jump to conclusions. Even if you think someone may be abused according to these warning signs, it does not mean that they are in an abusive relationship. Allow this list of warning signs to spark dialogue with a member.

SNCit! See it, Name it, Check it

Three steps you can take to when talking to a member is the See it, Name it, Check it (SNCit) system:

1. See it – learn the warning signs, and treat your suspicions and concerns seriously.
2. Name it– name the warning signs as a concern. Always stick to the facts, as a bruise does not necessarily mean abuse. You might say “I saw bruises” or “I heard yelling” and “I am concerned about you.”
3. Check it– ask questions such as “are you ok?” or “what can I do to support you?” and confirm your assumptions on whether the member is experiencing abuse. Remember that hearing these questions can be very difficult for someone, so be patient and allow your member to feel as though they are still in control of the conversation. They may deny the abuse and/or react defensively. If they do, do not take it personally and leave the door open for future conversations.

Some examples of SNCit conversations:

“I’ve noticed you’ve been late to work more often lately. Is anything bothering you?”
“You looked upset after that phone call today. I’m worried about you. Are you ok?”
“I overheard your partner yelling at you on the phone today. Are you ok? Do you want to talk?”

The goal of these conversations is NOT for you to act as a therapist or convince someone to leave their relationship, but rather for you to express concern and open a door for support. SNCit conversations work best in a private setting, such as an office with the door closed or away from where others can hear/see the conversation.