What is abuse?

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What is abuse?

Abuse is a pattern of controlling behaviour. In families, an abusive person can use many tactics to gain power over another family member. Examples include:

  • Damaging personal property
  • Name-calling and other forms of verbal and emotional abuse
  • Hitting, punching, kicking and other forms of physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Forced confinement
  • Stalking
  • Ridiculing a person's religious beliefs
  • Shaking a baby
  • Threatening to harm or harming people or animals

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Who are the victims?

Victims of abuse in families can include:

  • Spouses
  • Dating and common-law partners
  • People in same-sex and LGBTQ* relationships
  • Children and youth
  • People with disabilities
  • Older adults and elders
  • Pets

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*LGBTQ is a commonly used acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, transsexual, two-spirited and queer identities. Sexual minority is a synonymous term.

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