Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse is any slapping, punching, kicking, choking, etc.. It is being slammed against a wall or being injured with a weapon or object. Brutal beatings can result in bruising, lacerations, broken bones or death. 60% of the victims of female homicide died at the hands of their partner (Statistics Canada).

Psychological Abuse describes living with the constant fear of threats of violence against a woman, her children or her friends and relatives. It includes being harassed at work by phone calls or visits, the destruction of prized possessions and even suicide threats on the part of the victimizer. The intent is to control the behaviour of the woman. Threats of violence are illegal under the terms of Canada's Criminal Code.

Emotional Abuse is never-ending experience of criticism, name-calling, and put downs alone or in front of friends and relatives. It includes unjust blaming, false accusations about loyalties and controls on time, activities and actions. Women who are emotionally abused find it also impossible to seek employment or a promotion, keep friends or join groups outside the home.

Sexual Abuse or Marital Rape is being forced against your will to perform sexual acts or also have pain and injury inflicted during the intercourse. A 1983 Canadian law has addressed the issue of sexual assault within marriage, making it a crime for a man to sexually assault his wife or partner.

Financial Abuse means having no access to the family's money. The woman may live in a comfortable house, wear good clothing, have children who are well-equipped with toys and luxuries, but she has no control over what is spent or saved, over what moneys come into the family, over any decisions about what will be bought. She is allowed no money for personal use. Remember that the law now says that, in cases of divorce, the woman has a right to 50% of the family's assets.

Stalking is intentional or unintentional mind games intended to elicit fear and compliance from the intended target.

Det. Robertson has been a serving member of the Calgary Police Service since February, 1991, and was assigned to the Domestic Conflict Unit from December, 1999 to June 2003. Det. Robertson has received formal training in: Domestic Violence, Psychology, Psychopathy, Stalking, Psychological and Clinical Factors of Risk, and Risk Assessment & Threat Management, in both Canada and the United States. Det. Robertson has investigated over 400 cases of domestic violence and stalking, and has testified regarding these matters at all court levels, including: Youth Court, Family Court, Provincial Court and Court of Queen’s Bench.

From June, 2000, to February, 2001, Det. Robertson became involved in the Alberta Justice Working Project on Domestic Violence and in this capacity has acted as an advisory source to the Provincial Court of Alberta in matters of show cause, judicial interim release, and risk assessment & threat management. Det. Robertson has personally completed over 200 risk assessments utilizing the internationally recognized S.A.R.A. ( Spousal Assault Risk Assessment ) instrument. Det. Robertson has received formal training in the S.A.M. ( Stalking Assessment & Management ) instrument. Through training and experience, Det. Robertson has acquired a specialized knowledge in the areas of Domestic Violence and Stalking investigations. Det. Robertson has presented on stalking to members of the Justice Community throughout the Province of Alberta.

STALKING Handout                 PowerPoint - Stalking 2004