We all deserve positive relationships
Understanding intimate partner violence: insights from the Sexual Violence Resource Centre
Please know that if you are experiencing intimate partner violence or sexual violence, it is not your fault. Resources and support are available to you at UM’s Sexual Violence Resource Centre.
In healthy intimate relationships where people are dating, living together and/or married, partners treat each other with care, kindness, and mutual respect. Partners can live their individual lives feeling emotionally and physically safe to be who they are and are not being controlled or manipulated.
Unfortunately, we know this feeling of safety in intimate relationships isn’t being experienced by everyone on campus. At UM’s Sexual Violence Resource Centre (SVRC), we regularly provide support to students, staff and faculty who are living in situations that do not feel safe to them, and may include aspects of emotional and physical abuse.
Unhealthy relationships
In your relationship with your intimate partner(s), you should not experience or feel afraid of experiencing:
- Physical harm, including hitting, grabbing and non-consensual touching
- Social control, including having your whereabouts or communications monitored
- Emotional harm, including name-calling and domineering words
- Financial harm, including control of money or other resources
- Other acts in which you feel fearful of your partner, or afraid to be yourself around them
In relationships that include these aspects, the desires of one partner often dominate the desires and needs of another, creating an unbalanced and unsafe dynamic.
Intimate partner violence
You may have heard the term “intimate partner violence.” This is a phrase that describes abusive behavior occurring within a dating, common-law or married relationship that includes verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, physical and/or financial mistreatment. Intimate partner violence can impact anyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, race, age, and educational, socioeconomic, religious and cultural backgrounds. It is important to note that women and girls experience intimate partner violence at higher rates, as reported recently by Statistics Canada.
Support is available
If you or someone you know is in a relationship where your partner is displaying these behaviors, assistance is available to you. UM’s SVRC offers confidential support to students, staff and faculty members impacted by sexual violence; this includes experiences of intimate partner violence.
Support can be accessed via phone, email, in-person or Zoom. The SVRC is located at 537 UMSU University Centre and UM community members can access assistance by contacting the SVRC at svrc@umanitoba.ca, 204-474-6562, or in-person at the office. Regular drop-in hours are available, or appointments can be made ahead of time. Visit the SVRC website for more information.
September is Sexual Health Month, an initiative of the World Association of Sexual Health. This year’s theme of Positive Relationships highlights the importance of relationships – including intimate, romantic and family relationships – being based on a foundation of consent, respect and safety.