Abuse

What is abuse?

There are different types of abuse in close relationships:

• Physical abuse – being physically hurt, including being restrained.
• Psychological or emotional abuse – being regularly ignored, criticised or humiliated. This also includes coercive control.
• Neglect – not looking after your medical, emotional or physical needs.
• Sexual abuse – any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to willingly.
• Financial abuse – including controlling your money, theft, and fraud.

What can I do if I’m being abused?

If a friend, partner or family member is violent or abusive towards you, it is important to ask for help.

Sometimes it can be hard to recognise when someone is being abusive to you, and even harder to talk about, but try to remember that you’re not alone and there is support available for you. Take a look at the support links in the ‘get help now’ section below.

Support for adult survivors of childhood abuse

Explore videos about abuse

If you are thinking of leaving a relationship with an abusive or violent partner, don’t try to do it alone, find support in our ‘get help now’ section below.  Leaving can be scary, but with support you can be free. You deserve to be free.