Physical Abuse

Examples of Physical Abuse:

• Being hit, kicked, slapped, punched, shaken

• Burning you, pulling hair, biting, pinching

• Denial of food and water ( this is physical abuse because over time this can affect how your body functions)

• Creating an unsafe environment including temperature

• Over or misuse of medication

• Misuse of alcohol

• Sleep deprivation

Physical abuse is illegal

Here is a brief example of physical (and psychological) abuse:

Bill lives with his niece Jane. Bill’s memory is affected by dementia so he often forgets the answers to his questions.  He keeps asking the same questions over and over again. Jane can be very helpful to Bill but sometimes she gets angry and frustrated. Sometimes she believes that he is asking the same questions over and over again on purpose. Jane’s frustration has built up to such a point that she finds herself leaning into him and shouting into his face. She has also started to shake Bill firmly by the arms and sometimes pushes him back on to the bed. Bill has become afraid and has become increasingly withdrawn.