Abuse Is Wrong In Any Culture: Inuit

Feeling torn

"My grandson asks me for money all the time for drugs and liquor, and now he's taken most of my cheque for this month."

One of the hardest parts of being abused is knowing you want the hurting to stop, but not knowing whether talking about it or changing anything will make things better or worse.

"There is fear and shame about opening up … people are afraid of being labelled as a victim and gossiped about."

Many women who are abused feel ashamed … and afraid that their family and friends will not help them. Sometimes family and friends don't help at first, but say you should stay for the sake of the children or that you are exaggerating. You may be worried about what will happen to you, your family or even the person you love who is hurting you, if your family or living situation changes. But, remember, nothing you do makes it right for anyone to abuse you. This is not happening only to you.

Seeking counselling is not a sign of weakness but of strength. You can choose to make your life and that of your family better.

"Denial by both the victim and the offender is a community-wide problem."