Types of abuse

Question 1

What is abuse?

Answer 1

Abuse refers to a negative or harmful way of behaving towards another individual or group of people. The most common forms of abuse include physical, sexual, financial, or verbal abuse, as well as neglect

Question 2

What is sexual abuse?

Answer 2

Any type of unwanted sexual contact such as touching breasts, genitals or buttocks when the victim is either dressed or undressed

Question 3

What is physical abuse?

Answer 3

When someone causes physical pain or threatens to hurt an individual (e.g. a carer roughly handling a child when changing their nappy)

Question 4

What is psychological (emotional) abuse?

Answer 4

Threats and constant criticism with the aim to undermine an individual and control them (e.g. constantly putting someone down and telling them they are stupid)

Question 5

What is financial abuse?

Answer 5

Stealing an individual’s money or their personal possessions or misusing their money for your own personal gain

Question 6

What is verbal abuse?

Answer 6

Name calling, insults or swearing to try to humiliate someone or reduce their dignity

Question 7

What is neglect?

Answer 7

Where a carer fails to provide for an individual’s needs (e.g. not providing nutrition or fluids, not helping them wash themselves, not changing bed clothes so they develop sores, etc.)

Question 8

What are other forms of abuse?

Answer 8

• domestic abuse
• modern slavery
• organisational or institutional abuse