Sometimes referred to as domestic violence, partner assault or abuse is an action by one person to gain or maintain power and control over the other person in a relationship.
This can occur in all types of domestic or partner relationships, including common-law and same-sex, and can happen to both women and men. The abuse may be physical, or it may include other forms of mistreatment or cruelty such as threatening, psychological, emotional or verbal abuse.
Sexual assault is defined as any form of sexual activity with another person without that person's consent. In many cases, the perpetrator is known to the victim (for example, acquaintance or date rape).
In the case of children, sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for sexual stimulation by another person, especially by someone who is in a position of power or control over the victim, such as a parent, parent's partner, caregiver or babysitter.
All forms of assault and abuse can have serious effects on a person's physical and emotional health.
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) involves the use of alcohol, prescription, and non-prescription drugs to render victims unconcscious and/or incapable of providing consent to sexual activity.
Warning Signs of Sexual Assault:
What to do: