YWCA Fresh Start start 3:Layout 1 - YWCA Canada

FRESH START 9The term “violence against women” means any act of genderbasedviolence that results in or is likely to result in physical,sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, includingthreats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty,whether occurring in public or in private life. Accordingly,violence against women encompasses but is not limited to thefollowing:a) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in thefamily, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in thehousehold, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genitalmutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women,non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;b) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within thegeneral community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexualharassment and intimidation at work, in education institutionsand elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;c) Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated orcondoned by the State, wherever it occurs.The cycle of violenceAbuse in a relationship often follows a pattern that has been describedas the “cycle of violence.”Phase 1 is when tension begins to build. You will know there is ablow-up of some kind coming, because your partner is putting youdown, arguing over silly things or giving you the silent treatment. Youmay find yourself walking on eggshells trying to prevent him fromexploding.Phase 2 is when the abusive incident happens. Your partner might yelland scream at you, break furniture, hurt a pet or physically assaultyou in some way (shoving, pushing, grabbing, hitting, choking orpunching).Phase 3 is the honeymoon phase, which usually follows the abusiveoutburst. Your partner may apologize and promise never to be violentagain. He may even promise to get help. He may send you flowers orbuy you gifts in an attempt to get you to forgive him or to stop youfrom leaving or from telling anyone what he did.Phase 4 is the denial stage, when either or both of you pretend thatnothing is wrong and that the abuse did not happen. You may find