There are many different types of abuse that people can experience, from verbal bullying at school to violent attacks. But what drives people to become abusers? We explore this topic, including areas such as:
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Types of abuse – physical, mental, verbal, sexual
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Why do abusers abuse?
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Are there reasons behind people becoming victims?
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Reading signs that are indicators of abuse
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How to deal with abuse – who to talk to as a victim or as someone who knows the victim
There has been a bright spotlight on abuse in recent years as more and more people have come forward to share stories of powerful people taking advantage of their station to get their own way. However, abuse is far more than just that power dynamic: it can be everything from kids being mean to their peers up to the scandals that surface in our entertainment industry and government. It's a broad area that needs our attention to protect people from more harm over time.
What are the most important steps to preventing abuse? Listening to the victim is a starting point – but why do many of them take years to report abuse? If we're facing abuse of some kind, what are the steps that we can take to stop it? What are the roles that professionals can and should play – teachers, the police, government and others? Sometimes it takes just one person to offer help to someone who's being abused to get them out of the situation: what can we do to start that process?
