Abuse
An attempt to control the behaviour of another person. It is a misuse of power which uses the bonds of intimacy, trust and dependency to make the victim vulnerable. Abuse can take many forms in a domestic environment; physical, sexual, verbal, financial, isolation, emotional/psychological.
Child Abuse
An assault, directly or indirectly, where there is unequal power in the relationship between the child and the first person, causing the child to suffer serious physical or psychological harm, including (but not limited to) when that harm is caused by the child being subjected to, or exposed to, family violence, sexual activity, torment and ridicule or serious neglect of the child.
Emotional Abuse
A gradual wearing down of the victim's self-esteem by ridiculing their character, friends, race, religion or values. It may take the form of a person threatening to take the children, end their own life or harm themselves or others if you don't do as they want among other things. Emotional/psychological abuse often goes undetected for many years as it is not as obvious as other forms of abuse.
Financial Abuse
Where a person does not provide sufficient financial assistance to enable their de facto/ wife/ other parent of the child to have access to the bare necessities of life. It also occurs when one party runs up large debts in your name or sells your possessions without your permission. It may also mean one person stops the victim from earning an income of their own.
Isolation Abuse
Occurs when a person is not allowed to maintain contact with family, friends and community as a way of retaining control. It can include the restriction of access to email, post and social media or daily activities as well as monitoring all forms of communication and forcing you to be accountable for the time you are away from the controlling person.
Physical Abuse
A violent act towards another which may include such acts as pushing, shoving, slapping, kicking, punching, hitting, spitting, pinching, pulling hair, choking, throwing things, hitting victims with an object, and using or threatening to use a weapon.
Psychological Abuse
A gradual wearing down of the victim's self esteem by ridiculing their character, their friends, their race, religion or values. It may take the form of a person threatening to take the children, end their own life or harm themselves or others if you don't do as they want. Psychological/emotional abuse often goes undetected for many years as it is not as obvious as other forms of abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Forced unwanted sex, demanding the partner wear more (or less) provocative clothing; forced sex in any form; insisting the partner act out fantasies, and denial of the partner's sexuality.
Verbal Abuse
A form of abusive behaviour involving the use of language (criticizing, name-calling, put downs threatening, blaming). It differs from profanity in that it can occur without the use of expletives. Verbal abuse is a pattern of behaviour that can seriously interfere with one's positive emotional development and over time, can lead to significant detriment to one's self-esteem, emotional well-being and physical state.
