This article is about the ethics-related issue of abuse. For the computer game, see Abuse (computer game). For a similar word (e.g. a make of padlocks), see Abus.

Abuse is a general term for the use or treatment of something (person, thing, idea, etc.) that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person or thing, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) or is unlawful or wrongful. Its close synonyms are mistreatment and maltreatment. The word "misuse" has a more distant meaning of incorrect, uneducated use, not necessary harmful.

Abuse can be something as simple as damaging a piece of equipment through using it the wrong way, or as serious as severe maltreatment of a person. Abuse may be direct and overt, or may be disguised and covert.

Several types of abuse include:

• Sexual abuse: The improper use of another person for sexual purposes, generally without their consent or under physical or psychological pressure (which may include children whether abused by parents, those in loco parentis or strangers).
• Physical abuse: Where one person inflicts physical violence or pain on another.
• Emotional abuse or psychological abuse: coercion, humiliation, intimidation, relational aggression, parental alienation or covert incest: Where one person uses emotional or psychological coercion to compel another to do something they do not want, or is not in their best interests; or when one person manipulates another's emotional or psychological state for their own ends (see battered person syndrome), or commits psychological aggression using ostensibly non-violent methods to inflict mental or emotional violence or pain on another.
• Drug abuse: the misuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances, usually a form of addiction.
• Child abuse: Abuse, usually physical, emotional or sexual, directed at a child.
• Incest: Sexual activity between close family members.
• Spousal abuse (or domestic violence): Abuse, usually physical, or psychological abuse, directed at one's spouse.
• Elder abuse: Abuse, most often physical or in the form of psychological threats, directed at the elderly, especially in nursing homes and similar institutions.
• Human rights abuse: Violation of human rights.
• Verbal abuse: The use of foul language, obscenities or demeaning talk directed at another.
• Animal abuse: Abuse or cruelty directed at animals.
• Legal abuse: Vexatious litigation or malicious prosecution to retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person.

Abuser redirects here. See definition of abuser^*.

Abuse | Criminology topics

Missbrauch | Maltraitance | התעללות | Visszaélés | 虐待 | Злоупотребление | Abuse