Types of Abuse

Examples include hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, biting, pushing, rough handling, scalding or burning, physical punishment, inappropriate use of restraints, making someone purposefully uncomfortable (i.e. cold), involuntary confinement or isolation, misuse of medication (i.e. sedation), forcible feeding or withholding food, restricting movement

Any incident/s of controlling, coercive, or threatening behavior or violence between those aged 1 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. Can include psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse. Includes controlling or coercive behaviours.

Controlling: Acts designed to make a person subordinate or dependent through isolation, exploiting resources and capacities for personal gain, or depriving a person of the means for independence.

Coercion: Assault, threats, intimidation, or humiliation used to frighten, harm, or punish another.

Direct or indirect involvement of the adult at risk in relationships or sexual activity which they do not want or do not consent to, cannot understand or have the mental capacity to consent to, or have been coerced into because the other person has a position of power or authority. Sexual abuse can include intercourse, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate touching or looking, teasing, innuendo, sexual photography, or subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts. Opportunistic abuse occurs when someone sees a chance to sexually assault someone, or planned, which is when someone is deliberately targeted.

Actions or behaviours that are harmful to the emotional health of another. Examples include threats, deprivation of contact, shouting, ignoring, bullying, cruelty, coercion, humiliation, or negating the right of the person to make choices, undermining their self-esteem.

Use of the person’s assets, property, income, funds, or resources without their authorisation or consent. Can include fraud, theft, exploitation, undue pressure in connection with wills, property, inheritance, or financial transactions, misuse or misappropriation of benefits, possessions, or property, and the misuse of the enduring power of attorney, lasting power of attorney, or appointeeship.

Slavery, human trafficking, force or compulsory behaviour, or domestic servitude. Slave masters and traffickers use any means necessary to coerce, deceive, or force others into a life of servitude, abuse, and inhumane treatment.

Values, beliefs, or culture result in a misuse of power that denies opportunities to people or groups. Results from situations that exploit another’s vulnerability by treating them in a way that excludes them from opportunities they should have as equal citizens such as education, justice, health, and access to services. This can be motivated by age, being a transsexual person, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or lack of religion, being pregnant, or having a child with a disability.

Mistreatment, abuse, or neglect of an adult at risk by a regime or individuals. This can occur within settings and services that adults at risk live in or use, violating their human rights and dignity. This can occur when routines, systems, and regimes of an organisation result in poor or inadequate standards of care and poor practices in care homes, daycares, hostels, supporting housing, hospitals, and sheltered housing.

The failure of a person who has responsibilities for the charge, care, or custody of an at risk adult to provide the type and amount of care any reasonable person would be expected to provide. May include failure to provide social, educational, or medical needs, withholding food, drink, or warmth, and not protecting from hazards.

A person may choose to self-neglect themselves, often because they do not want to acknowledge a problem or want to refuse support services. An underlying condition affecting mental capacity may also cause self-neglect.