Abuse

Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial or deliberate neglect.

Physical acts of abuse can involve, hitting, shaking, burning, punching, throwing, choking, beating or any action that causes physical injury or pain.

Sexual abuse is any sexual contact between an adult and a young person under the age of 18, an older child with a younger child, or any person of any age when they have been coerced, over powered or manipulated against their will.

Emotional abuse can be hard to quantify but an example might be continued and excessive shouting, criticism or threats which result in self esteem being damaged.

Financial abuse occurs when a partner or young person is kept disempowered by limited access to money resulting in restricted opportunity to travel, social events, work and education and therefore limited choice.

Neglect may result in not having enough food, inadequate housing, clothing, medical care, parental supervision, support and attention.

Domestic Abuse is very distressing for children to witness. Younger children may regress, complain of illness or wet the bed. Older teens may become withdrawn, anxious or aggressive themselves. Children learn how to be in the world by observing their parents and may continue the cycle of behaviours as victim or perpetrator in adulthood.