Domestic violence

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What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of repeated behaviours through which one person imposes control, or even domination, over a person with whom they are, or have been, in an intimate relationship.

Domestic violence can occur in obvious or more subtle forms at any stage of life, regardless of ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, functional limitation(s), gender identity, or the status of the relationship.

It generally occurs in a cycle, meaning that violent behaviours tend to recur and may intensify over time in both frequency and severity. Domestic violence may also be committed by a former partner during a separation.
 

Domestic violence can take different forms.

  • Psychological violence: devaluing, humiliating, threatening, punching walls, abusing an animal, isolating a person from loved ones
  • Verbal violence: yelling, insulting
  • Physical violence: pushing, hitting, confining someone
  • Sexual violence: imposing an act without consent, making sexually degrading comments
  • Economic violence: controlling money, stealing, using money to force someone to stay in the relationship
  • Spiritual violence: forbidding or imposing beliefs
  • Cyberviolence : using technology (e.g., geolocation, social media, text messages) to monitor, control, harass or pressure someone
  • Criminal harassment: behaving in a way that causes the victim to fear for their safety or the safety of those around them

If you believe you are experiencing violence, it’s important to talk about it.

Professional and confidential resources are available to help you in the region.

If you believe your safety or that of your children is threatened: 911

To quickly reach a psychosocial intervention professional:

  • Info-Social 811 option 2, is a confidential telephone consultation service available 24/7.

You can report to Youth Protection (DPJ)  if you suspect that a young person under 18 is exposed to domestic violence.

Shelters for women and children experiencing domestic violence

Several organizations offer shelter and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Consult this page to learn about those in your region.

Resources for men with violent behaviours

There are two support centres for men in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Consult this page to learn about those in your region..

Centres d'aide aux victimes d'actes criminels (CAVAC)

These crime victim assistance centres offer frontline services to anyone who is a victim of a criminal act, their loved ones, and witnesses to a criminal act. Consult this page to learn about those in your region..

Other resources (women’s centres)

Several women’s centres exist in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Consult this page to learn about those in your region.