Abuse

Abuse

Abuse and neglect can take many forms.

This includes:

• indecent exposure
• sexual harassment
• inappropriate looking or touching
• sexual teasing or innuendo
• sexual photography
• being forced to watch pornography or sexual acts
• being forced or pressured to take part in sexual acts
• rape

Physical abuse

This includes:

• being hit, slapped, pushed or restrained
• being denied food or water
• not being helped to go to the bathroom when you need to
• misuse of your medicines

Psychological abuse

This includes:

• emotional abuse
• threats to hurt or abandon you
• stopping you from seeing people
• humiliating, blaming, controlling, intimidating or harassing you
• verbal abuse
• cyberbullying and isolation
• an unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or support networks

Domestic abuse

There is usually an incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse by someone who is, or has been, a family member or intimate partner.

Discriminatory abuse

This includes some forms of harassment, slurs or unfair treatment relating to your:

• race
• gender and gender identity
• age
• disability
• sexual orientation
• religion

Financial abuse

It could be someone stealing money or valuables from you. It may also be that someone appointed to manage your money on your behalf is misusing it or coercing you into spending it in a way you don’t want.

Financial abuse can also take the form of Internet scams and doorstep crimes.

Neglect

Neglect includes not being provided with enough food or the right kind of food or not being adequately cared for.

Leaving you without help to wash or change dirty or wet clothes, not getting you to a doctor when you need one or not making sure you have the right medicines all count as neglect.