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According the Oxford dictionary, maiden name means, "the surname that a married woman used from birth, prior to its being legally changed at marriage." We have no such term for men, but then men are rarely asked to change their names, give up their identities or become someone's property upon marriage.

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Abuse is never the victim's fault. Abuse is the result of an imbalance of power. Most often it occurs when a man exerts power and control over his female partner. Abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, spiritual and psychological in nature. Often, women are subjected to multiple forms of abuse.

There are many warning signs that indicate a relationship is abusive. Often abusers exhibit more than one of these traits:

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Hamilton Police Service defines domestic violence as, "A pattern of behaviour used by one person to gain power and control over another person with whom he/she has had an intimate relationship. This pattern of behaviour may include physical violence, sexual, emotional, and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse, stalking and using electronic devices to harass and control."

According to Statistics Canada:

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I write often about social justice issues -- including the barriers that exist for many people around access to good healthy food produced through environmentally friendly, sustainable means and distributed in ways that allow everyone's dignity to remain intact.

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The Witness is a riveting documentary that introduces the world, for the first time ever, to the colourful, vivacious, multifaceted Catherine Susan Genovese.  Better known to most as Kitty Genovese, this beautiful 28-year-old woman became the perennial icon for bystander apathy after her brutal attempted rape and murder in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York on March 13, 1964. 

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Imagine you have three sisters; Gil 13 years of age, Adela 14 and Cao 18. Now, imagine one day they simply disappeared for months or even years. When they return they're secretive, silent, often lost in thought and afraid to share what happened during their time away.

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Recent research confirms that women in abusive relationships consistently state being employed is essential to their overall wellbeing. In addition to offering a brief respite from the chaos that is their lives, work provides financial security, supports physical and mental health, and provides much needed breaks from the isolation they live in. Work can also be a way to access help and services.