Does someone you know NEED Connect?
Four out of ten people in Calgary are, or have been, in relationships that are abusive or show signs of abuse. Almost half of Calgarians have experienced some form of sexual abuse. If you know someone who might be in a situation that doesn’t seem positive or healthy and who might need our help, be a friend by getting information, passing it on or encouraging them to connect with us.
Not sure if your friend needs help? First of all, think about what is usual behavior for your friend, family or loved one. And then watch for changes in behavior such as:
Warning Signs of Abuse
In Adults
- Personality changes (angry, moody, agitated etc.)
- Becoming withdrawn, closed, suddenly fearful or secretive
- Difficulty sleeping or abnormally tired
- Lower self-esteem, feeling negative about themselves
- Difficulty concentrating
- Neglecting personal hygiene or personal appearance
- Physical signs of injuries like bruises, sores and cuts
- Making excuses for injuries which seem implausible
- Hiding injuries with excessive make-up, sunglasses, extra clothing
- Appetite changes - weight loss or weight gain
- Starting to use substances or increasing in substance use
- Stops attending usual activities (church, gym, family and holiday gatherings)
In Children
- Physical signs of injuries like bruises, sores, cuts
- Unhappiness and withdrawal. May appear irritable and sad and withdraw from activities they once enjoyed
- Regression - returns to an earlier stage in development, such as clinging to caregivers, thumb-sucking or bed wetting
- Changes in school performance - positively or negatively - or suddenly seeking more approval by teachers
- Anger, violence or bullying behavior towards other children or animals
- Difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- Sexually acting out by using knowledge, language and behavior that is out of the scope of normal sexual development.
- STI’s, frequent yeast or bladder infections, pregnancy in older children, difficulty sitting or walking, injury to genital areas, child complaining of headaches and stomach aches without medical explanation, etc.
Four out of ten people we surveyed are, or have been in, relationships that are abusive or show signs of abuse.
This measurement was derived from 451 online interviews with Calgarians aged 16 to 69 years old. Respondents were randomly selected from a Leger Marketing online panel. There was an equal balance of male/female respondents and a balanced representation from all quadrants of the city. Respondents were presented with eight potential domestic abuse and violence scenarios and were asked to rate their relationship with their current spouse, partner, girlfriend and boyfriend against the scenarios presented. It is important to note that this is not a clinical study. The scenarios do not represent every type of healthy or unhealthy relationship and respondents will interpret each of the situations differently.
The scenarios utilized in the domestic violence survey were adapted from “How Can I Tell if my Relationship is Healthy, Unhealthy or Abusive?” in Alberta Children and Youth Services. (2008) Women Abused in Intimate Relationships, Edmonton, AB. Retrieved from http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/home/documents/familyviolence/doc_opfvb_booklet_women_colour.pdf
Almost half of all people we surveyed have experienced some form of sexual abuse.
This measurement was derived from 451 online interviews with Calgarians aged 16 to 69 years old. Respondents were randomly selected from a Leger Marketing online panel. There was an equal balance of male/female respondents and a balanced representation from all quadrants of the city. Respondents were presented with six different types of sexual assault/abuse and asked if they had ever experienced one or more of them in their lifetime. It is important to note that this is not a clinical study. All types of sexual abuse/assault were not included in the examples provided and respondents are self-reporting their situations. They have not been clinically assessed.

We are here to help, please call us.If you are experiencing or have questions about sexual
abuse and sexual assault please call...1.403.237.58881.877.237.5888 Toll Free in AlbertaIf you are experiencing or have questions about domestic and relationship
abuse please call...1.403.234.7233(SAFE)1.866.606.7233 Toll Free in Alberta
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