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abuse and neglect |
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- Abuse can take many forms. It may be physical, psychological, sexual, or financial. One type of abuse is neglect. It occurs when a caretaker fails to fulfill the basic needs of a child, elder, or dependent adult. |
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abuse, child |
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- Child abuse can be defined as "the physical treatment and mental injuring, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child's health and welfare is harmed or threatened thereby." |
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abuse of spouse or partner |
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- Abuse of spouse or partner is the abuse of one partner by another in a relationship where the two adults are dating, married, or living together. This abuse can be emotional abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse. An emotional abuser might make angry remarks in private or public to cause the victim to feel worthless and ashamed. Physical abuse can include hitting, slapping, punching, or beating. Sexual abuse means forcing a partner to have sex against his or her will. It can also include making a partner do sexual acts that he or she finds degrading, or forcing a woman to risk pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. |
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abuse, elderly |
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- Elderly abuse is the mistreatment of an older person. It may occur while the person is living alone, with others or in an institution. Domestic elderly abuse refers to mistreatment by someone who has a special relationship with the elder. This person could be a spouse, sibling, child, friend, or other caregiver. Institutional abuse refers to mistreatment of a resident in a facility for older persons. This includes nursing homes, foster homes, group homes, or board and care facilities where staff is paid to provide care. Self-neglect occurs when the behaviour of an older person living alone threatens his or her own health or safety.There are four common types of elderly abuse. Physical abuse is pain or injury inflicted intentionally by a caregiver. It may include slapping, beating, physical restraint, or sexual assault. Psychological or emotional abuse is mental suffering inflicted intentionally by a caregiver. It may include humiliation, intimidation, threats, and destruction of belongings. Financial abuse is improper or illegal use of the resources of an older person without consent. It may include the sale of a home or belongings. Neglect is failing to provide reasonable care. A person may be denied food or health care, for example, or abandoned.Only a very few Australian studies have been conducted on the prevalence of elderly abuse. Overseas studies indicate that between 2% to 5% or older people are victims of abuse. A study in NSW confirmed this and found 4.6% had experienced physical, psychological and financial abuse or neglect. (1992 figures) |
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child sexual abuse |
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- Child sexual abuse is any experience during childhood or adolescence that involves inappropriate sexual attention by another person. This person is usually an adult, but can also be an older child, teenager, or even a person the same age. It can take place within the family, by a parent, stepparent, sibling, or other relative. It also can occur outside the family by a friend, neighbour, childcare person, teacher, or random molester. Broadbent and Bentley (1997) from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare advise there were 4,862 substantiated cases of sexual abuse reported to state and territory organisations throughout Australia. |
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emotional abuse |
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- Emotional abuse occurs when a person uses words or actions to make another person think less or himself or herself. It may be accompanied by physical abuse or sexual abuse. |
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sudden infant death syndrome |
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intermittent explosive disorder |
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