What is abuse?

All adults should be able to live their lives free from fear and harm.

• Abuse is when someone hurts you or treats you badly.
• Abuse can happen in any relationship, like a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, your family, friends, neighbours and paid carers.
• Abuse can happen by someone you do not know.
• Abuse is always wrong.
• Abuse is against your rights.
• Abuse can happen once or lots of times.
• Abuse is sometimes called domestic abuse.