Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person through bodily contact. It is a deliberate act that results in harm, injury, or trauma to the victim’s body. Physical abuse is often recognised first as domestic abuse as it’s the most visible. It is often a way for a perpetrator to gain control and is illegal. Some examples of physical abuse are (this list is not exhaustive):
Punching, slapping, hitting, pinching, kicking, scratching or biting
Applying pressure to your neck or holding you down, strangling or choking you
Pulling your hair out
Spitting at you or near you or throwing objects at or near you
Using objects as weapons to attack or hurt you
Punching walls or breaking things
Physically restraining you by holding you down or tying you up without your consent
Physically harming a child or a pet.
Tampering with your medication in some way, such as by not giving it to you, or giving you the wrong medicine(s).
Being burned with cigarettes, iron, oven and/or fire.
Depriving you of food/warmth/sleep/medication/other aids
They have regularly displayed any of the behaviours mentioned above and told you that it was a “joke” or an “accident” or “not that bad”.
Sexual abuse can take place within relationships or between family members and can often be a part of domestic abuse. Victims may experience sexual harassment, assault or rape. They may be coerced or forced into sexual acts or recorded in sexual activity without permission, and this may be shared without consent. Women may be prevented from accessing birth control or sexual health services.
Physical and/or sexual abuse may occur once or form part of a wider pattern of abuse and can cause long-term harm to both physical and mental health.
It is not consent if you are afraid or you have been pressured into something.
Some examples of sexual abuse are:
Rape or sexual assault. This can be any sexual act you did not consent to. It can include forced kissing, touching or penetration.
Having sex with you when you are unable to consent, for example if you are asleep or under the influence of drugs or alcohol which may affect your ability to consent.
Using force, threats, guilt, manipulation or intimidation to make you perform sexual acts.
Forcing you to have sex with other people or to become a sex worker.
Forcing you to have sex or watch pornography in front of children.
Degrading you during sex, such as calling you names, spitting, biting, punching or hurting you.