What Is Abuse?
Abuse is any behaviour towards a person that deliberately or unknowingly causes harm or exploitation. Every day some people may face abuse from people who help to look after them, their relatives, friends and even strangers.
Recognise It:
Abuse can happen in a number of ways. It can be:
- Physical - violence which causes pain or injury, for example: hitting, kicking, restraint, isolation or misuse of medication.
- Sexual - for example: rape, unwanted sexual or touching behaviour where the person has not agreed to it.
- Psychological - for example: being humiliated, afraid or being devalued by others. Anything said or written which causes upset, fear or anxiety.
- Neglect - the failure to provide care or attention to the point where a person's health or safety is affected.
- Discrimination - where someone has been treated badly because of race, colour, gender, sexual choice, religion, age or disability.
- Financial - where there has been theft or misuse of a person's property, money, possessions or benefits.
There is no easy way to detect signs of abuse. It may result in a number of changes in the way the person acts or looks.
Who can abuse?
Anyone can abuse - a partner, friend or family member. The abuser may be well known to the person and could also be people in positions of trust or power.
Where can abuse happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere, for example at home, work, college, in care homes, in hospital or other health settings, or even in public places.
Frequently Asked Questions (Rich text document)