Research Article

Monthly Incidence Rates of Abusive Encounters for Canadian Family Physicians by Patients and Their Families

Table 2

Categories of seriousness of levels of abuse.

Disrespectful behavior:Minor Incidents
Abuser was rude and/or disrespectful.
Bullying:
Abuser was belittling or professionally humiliating.
Verbal anger:
Abuser was loud, angry, or insulting but NOT threatening.
Verbal threat:
Abuser was loud, angry, or insulting and threatening.
Humiliation:
Abuser insulted you, called you names, or gestured to you in a manner as to decrease your self-esteem or humiliate you.

Physical aggression:Major incidents
Abuser threw objects, slammed doors, kicked, or gestured but did NOT damage persons or property.
Destructive behavior:
Abuser broke or smashed objects and kicked or struck out and caused damage to possessions and property but NOT to any persons.
Sexual harassment:
Abuser spoke, looked, or gestured in a manner that you perceived as an unwanted sexual advance.

Assault:Severe incidents
Abuser hit, punched, kicked, pulled, or pinched you WITHOUT injury.
Assault Causing Injury:
Abuser hit, punched, kicked, pulled, or pinched you causing injury.
Attempted Assault:
Abuser broke, smashed, kicked, or struck out towards you but did NOT hit or harm you.
Sexual assault:
Abuser physically touched or assaulted you in a manner you perceived as unwanted and of a sexual nature.
Stalking:
Abuser monitored, followed, or stalked you.