Mennonite Central Committee

Am I being abused?

Are you or someone you know being abused?

 

Forms of abuse

• Emotional or Verbal Abuse

  Emotional or Verbal Abuse is the most difficult form of abuse to identify. The impact is very harmful, pervasive and long lasting as it deteriorates one's sense of self. It may include:

  • Personal put downs: criticisms, name calling, yelling, screaming, swearing, public embarrassment, "silent treatment"
  • Threatening gestures: driving dangerously, harming pets or property, smashing things, verbal threats
  • Controlling activities: isolating, pressuring, insulting, blaming
  • Other expressions of anger, jealousy and possessiveness.

• Physical Abuse

  Physical Abuse includes any unwanted physical contact and may include: restraining, pushing, spitting, grabbing, choking, pinching, kicking, slapping, punching, biting, use of a weapon

• Sexual Abuse

  Sexual Abuse occurs when any sexual behaviour is unwanted. It includes:

  • Rape/date rape, legally defined as sexual assault. Threats are often used to gain the compliance of the victim. It does not matter if there has been consenting sexual behavior prior to the abuse.
  • Any unwanted sexual touching
  • Coercing sex with anger or guilt
  • Using sexual words to humiliate you
  • Age inappropriate exposure to sexual information or imagery, or the lack of appropriate information

• Financial Abuse

  Financial Abuse is when your money or property is used without your knowledge or consent. It may include:

  • Mismanaging finances to neglect the needs of the household
  • Withholding access to household finances

• Caregiver Abuse

  Caregiver Abuse is abuse that takes place by the person who is caring for you. It may include:

  • Not helping with basic needs (dressing, eating)
  • Controlling your time and what you do
  • Verbal and/or physical abuse

• Witnessing abuse

  Witnessing abuse is when one witnesses abuse. Children learn what they live.

• Abuse towards pets or property

  Abuse towards pets or property is the destruction of property or animals with the direct or indirect threat that you are next.

• Spiritual abuse

  Spiritual abuse may include but is not limited to:

  • Breaking down one's belief system (cultural or religious)
  • Being punished or ridiculed for one's belief
  • Preventing one from practicing their beliefs
  • Abuse by a religious leader
  • Abuse done in the name of, brought on by, or attributed to a belief system of the abuser

 

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