Description on Terms:
What is Domestic Violence?
This is when one partner tries to gain or maintain power and control over their partner. There are many forms of Domestic Violence, such as:
Physical Abuse
This includes pushing, hitting, slapping, choking, kicking, or biting. This also includes if your partner uses or threatens to use a weapon against you.
Emotional Abuse
This is when your partner puts you down or makes you feel bad about yourself. They can threaten you, your children, other family members or even your pets. They can threaten suicide, so they can get you to do something you do not want to do.
Sexual Abuse
This is when your partner forces you to have sex or makes you engage in other sexual activities that you do not want to do.
Financial Abuse
This is when your partner keeps your paycheck or takes it away from you and gives you little to no money. They might not let you go to work at all or if they do, they are constantly interfering with your job.
Isolation
This is when your partner does not allow you to see your friends and family or stops you from going to work.
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder Abuse is when a person intentionally causes physical, emotional, or psychological harm to an older adult. Some other forms of abuse include financial abuse or neglect. Most elder abuse and neglect takes place at their home and by family members or paid caregivers. Some examples include:
Physical abuse.
Physical force that leads to injuries, pain, or impairment. This can be caused by an assault, battery or restraining of an older person.
Sexual abuse.
Unwanted sexual contact or sexual activity with an older person.
Psychological abuse.
Mental or emotional harm by threatening, humiliating, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct.
Financial abuse.
The illegal or improper use of an older person’s funds, property, or resources.
Neglect.
The failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her care giving responsibilities.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault is any sexual contact or behavior involving a person who does not or cannot consent. Some factors as to why a person cannot consent include, alcohol, drugs, or some sort of incapacitation.
Sexual assault can include the following:
- Rape, including partner and marital rape
- Unwanted sexual contact (touching or grabbing)
- Unwelcomed exposure of another’s body
- Child sexual abuse
- Incest or molestation
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual exploitation of clients by therapists, doctors, dentists, or other professionals
It is important that victims of sexual assault understand that no matter where they were, the time of day or night assaulted, what they were wearing, or what they said or did, if they did not want the sexual contact, then the assault was in no way their fault. Sexual assault is an act of power and control. It is never about love or affection. It violates a person’s sense of safety and control and can leave them feeling powerless and dishonored.
What is Child Abuse?
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C. Section 5106g), requires that at a minimum, states define child abuse and neglect to mean:
- "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or
- "An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
This definition of child abuse and neglect refers specifically to parents and other caregivers. A "child" under this definition generally means a person who is younger than age 18 or who is not an emancipated minor.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Traffickers exploit the victims for profit. Traffickers might use the following to lure victims into trafficking situations:
- Violence
- Manipulation
- False promises of well-paying jobs or education
- Romantic relationships
Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.