1. What is abuse?
   ➢ Any behaviour that is used to scare, harm, threaten, control, or intimidate another person
   ➢ Abuse can happen in all kinds of relationships (i.e., friendships, family, romantic relationships, online acquaintances, relationships where one individual has authority)
   ➢ Abuse can take on different forms and all forms have negative effects: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect
2. What does an abusive relationship look like?
   ➢ Physical: hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, etc.
   ➢ Sexual: unwanted touching, forcing sexual behaviour, etc.
   ➢ Emotional: name calling, put-downs, playing mind games, using jealousy, threatening behaviours, manipulation, etc.
   ➢ Neglect: basic physical and emotional needs are not being taken care of
   ➢ Any of the above on its own qualifies as abuse and can have severe negative consequences
   ➢ The victim in the relationship cannot express themselves without the other person in power trying to control them
3. In what kinds of relationships does abuse occur?
   ➢ Abuse can happen to anyone and can happen in all types of relationships
   ➢ Example: family, romantic, friendship, relationships with authority figures (e.g., coaches, teachers, religious leaders, etc.), members of the community, etc.
4. What are the kinds of tactics that abusers use to sustain an abusive relationship?
   ➢ Most abuse and violence happens under a veil of secrecy and the abuser will often tell the victim to keep the relationship and the abuse a secret
   ➢ Secrecy can be used to build trust in an abusive relationship (e.g., the perpetrator can make the individual feel “special” by sharing the secret with the notion that “you and I are the only ones who know about this”
   ➢ Abusers may use threats, bribes, guilt, shame, bullying, humiliation, grooming, manipulation to continue an abusive relationship
5. How does abuse impact individuals who have experienced it?
   ➢ Abuse can have severe consequences for an individual’s well-being: physical, emotional, and social
   ➢ It is important to remember that perpetrators are responsible for the abuse, not victims
   ➢ Abuse does not affect every individual in the same way
6. What are the various ways you can get help?
   ➢ Having a private conversation with a trusted adult
   ➢ Texting/e-mailing a trusted adult
   ➢ Going with a friend to talk with a trusted adult
   ➢ Being persistent, keep telling until you get the help you need
   ➢ Community resources such as Kids Help Phone (e.g., speaking to a KHP counsellor over the phone, through online chat, or through text*)

*Kids Help Phone will be able to see your phone number and will keep a record of your texting transcript. Please see their Privacy Notice: https://kidshelpphone.ca/terms-service-privacy-texting/