Government of New Brunswick

It could be your neighbour, your sister or brother, your father or mother, or your daughter or  son... it could be you.

IPV is deliberate abuse and intimidation by one person against another in a relationship. It happens when one person uses violence or threats that cause fear, physical or psychological harm. It may be a single act or a series of acts that form a pattern of abuse.

The majority of people who are abusive toward their partner or former partner are not violent outside of their intimate relationship. They are often good colleagues and nice neighbours, which makes it difficult to identify them. However, there are signs if you know what to look for:

  • Do they have unexplained bruises, cuts, marks or scars?
  • Do they constantly criticize their partner?
  • Do they belittle their partner’s relationships or forbid them to see  family or friends?
  • Do they control their partner’s activities, what they  wear, make fun of their  physical appearance or sexual performance?
  • Do they threaten suicide if their partner were to ever leave, or use their children to get to their partner ?
     
 

Disclaimer


Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can occur in all relationship types (current and former married, common-law and dating relationships, and irrespective of sexual orientation) and can affect people of all genders. While this behaviour can be directed at male victims, the vast majority of victims of IPV are women, and men tend to more commonly be the abusive partner. Many services listed for victims of IPV are for female victims unless otherwise stated.