Monday, 20 April 2026

Easy Read: What is Abuse?

 


Abuse means…

Abuse is when someone treats another person in a way that is:

  • Mean or unfair
  • Upsetting or frightening
  • Controlling or overpowering
  • Harmful to a person’s body or feelings

Abuse can happen once or many times. It often happens again and again.


Types of Abuse (Easy Read List)

Abuse can include:

Physical abuse

  • Hitting
  • Pushing
  • Violence
  • Hurting someone’s body

Sexual abuse / sexual harassment

  • Unwanted sexual behaviour
  • Making someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe
  • Forcing sexual contact

Emotional abuse

  • Being mean with words
  • Making someone feel worthless
  • Constant criticism or insults
  • Making someone feel scared or upset

Psychological abuse

  • Controlling thoughts or behaviour
  • Making someone doubt themselves
  • Threatening or intimidating

Bullying

  • Repeated mean behaviour
  • Picking on someone
  • Making someone feel small or scared

Financial abuse

  • Taking someone’s money
  • Controlling their money
  • Not allowing access to finances

Theft

  • Taking things that belong to someone else

Neglect

  • Not caring for someone properly
  • Not giving basic needs like food, care, or support

Discrimination / discriminatory abuse

  • Treating someone unfairly because of:
    • Disability
    • Race
    • Gender
    • Age
    • Religion
    • Identity

Hate crime

  • Hurting or threatening someone because of who they are
  • This is against the law

What abuse can do to people

Abuse can make someone feel:

  • Scared
  • Controlled
  • Upset or anxious
  • Worthless
  • Unsafe
  • Lonely
  • Confused

Important message

  • Abuse is never okay
  • Abuse is never the victim’s fault
  • Everyone has the right to feel safe
  • Everyone has the right to be treated with respect

Simple summary

Abuse is when someone uses behaviour to:

  • Hurt
  • Control
  • Frighten
  • Or harm another person 

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