Legal Definitions - abuse

Abuse is when someone intentionally hurts or harms another person. This can be physical, emotional, mental, or directed towards children. It can also refer to misusing something, like drugs or a legal process.

• Physical abuse: hitting, kicking, choking, or any violent behavior that causes bodily harm.
• Emotional abuse: intentionally causing distress or intimidation through non-physical acts, like coercion or isolation.
• Child abuse: any act or failure to act by a parent or caregiver that results in harm or risk of harm to a child's health or welfare.
• Substance abuse: excessively using or misusing drugs or alcohol.
• Abuse of process: misusing a legal process for personal gain or to harm someone else.

For example, if someone hits another person and causes them physical harm, that is considered physical abuse. Emotional abuse can include things like constantly belittling or threatening someone. Child abuse can take many forms, including neglect or physical harm. Substance abuse can lead to addiction and harm to oneself or others. Abuse of process can occur when someone uses a legal process, like filing a lawsuit, for a purpose other than its intended use.