Woman Abuse, is the physical, sexual, psychological and economical abuse of a person by her intimate partner whether they are married, common-law, or dating; current or former relationships; or same or opposite sex couples. Abuse of women is common in society and can happen to people regardless of their culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, income, or education.

Physical: The non-accidental, willful infliction of physical pain or injury.

Sexual: Any form of sexual activity with a person without the consent of that person.

Social: Any public behaviours intended to embarrass or deprecate a person

Economic Abuse: The control of a person's financial resources without consent.

Emotional | Verbal | Psychological: Behaviour intended to control, humiliate, intimidate, instill fear or diminish a person's sense of self worth.

Economic Dependence: Women of abusive relationships are often economically abused by their partners. This economic abuse consists of anything from preventing her from working to taking her paycheck. As such, women of abusive relationships are economically dependent on their partners and are confronted with many obstacles when making the decision to leave the relationship.

Safety Concerns: Women leaving or contemplating leaving abusive relationships must also face the threat of retaliation from their partners.

Social Factors: Society places enormous pressures on women to keep their families together and to maintain healthy and happy households.

Social Isolation: Social abuse is prominent in abusive relationships. Abusers often make it emotionally and/or physically difficult for their partners to socialize with family and friends and, over time, women lose their support networks.

Legal Issues: Abused women must also consider legal issues associated with the break-up of her family. Women fear the economic costs of legal representation and court, the loss of custody of their children, and loss of home, vehicle, furniture and belongings.

Emotional Factors: Women in abusive relationships entered into these relationships because they loved their partners. This love does not disappear in the presence of abuse. Many abused women are hesitant to leave their partners because they:

• fear that their partner can't survive alone.
• love their partner and want to believe that he/she will change.