Understanding Trauma & Healing
Understanding Violence
Understanding violence is needed when on a healing journey. The violence in Indigenous communities is rooted in colonization, the abuses experienced at Indian Residential Schools, and racism. The health effects of violence can be immediate, long-lasting, and/or fatal. Research finds that the more severe the abuse, the greater its impact on the person’s physical and mental health. In addition, the negative effects can persist long after abuse has stopped. The effects of violence tend to be more severe when the person experiences more than one type of violence (e.g., physical, and sexual) and/or has multiple experiences of violence over time.
Ten Types of Violence and Abuse
Physical violence.
Physical violence occurs when someone uses a part of their body or an object to control a person’s actions.
Sexual violence.
Sexual violence occurs when a person is forced to unwillingly take part in sexual activity.
Emotional violence.
Emotional violence occurs when someone says or does something to make a person feel stupid or worthless.
Psychological violence.
Psychological violence occurs when someone uses threats and causes fear in an individual to gain control.
Spiritual violence.
Spiritual (or religious) violence occurs when someone uses an individual’s spiritual (or religious) beliefs to manipulate, dominate or control that person.
Cultural violence.
Cultural violence occurs when an individual is harmed as a result of practices that are part of her or his culture, religion or tradition.
Verbal abuse.
Verbal abuse occurs when someone uses language, whether spoken or written, to cause harm to an individual.
Financial abuse.
Financial abuse occurs when someone controls an individual’s financial resources without the person’s consent or misuse those resources.
Neglect.
Neglect occurs when someone has the responsibility to provide care or assistance for an individual but does not.
Racism.
Racism is the practice by which systems and policies, actions and attitudes create inequitable opportunities and outcomes for people based on race.
