Abuse

Topics

• Abuse
• Several types of Abuse
• Human rights Abuse

Abuse

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Abuse is a general term for the misuse of a person or thing, causing harm to the person or thing to the abuser, or to someone else. Abuse can be something as simple as damaging a piece of equipment through using it in the wrong way, or as serious as severe maltreatment of a person. Abuse may be direct and overt, or may be disguised and covert.

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Several types of Abuse

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• Sexual abuse: The improper use of another person for sexual purposes, generally without their consent or under physical or psychological pressure. It is often inflicted on children.
• Physical abuse: Where one person inflicts physical violence or pain on another.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: Where one person uses emotional or psychological manipulation 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.
• 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.
• Spousal abuse: 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.

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Human rights Abuse

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A human rights abuse is abuse of people in a way that violates any fundamental human rights.

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (generally accepted as the international standard for human rights), fundamental human rights are violated when:

• A certain race, creed, or group is denied recognition as a "person".
• Men and women are not treated as equal.
• Different racial or religious groups are not treated as equal.
• A person is sold as or used as a slave.
• Cruel unusual punishment is used on a person (such as torture or execution).
• Punishments are death arbitrarily or unilaterally, without a proper and fair trial.
• Arbitrary interference into personal, or private lives by agents of the state.
• Citizens are forbidden to leave their country.
• Freedom of speech or religion is denied.
• The right to join a union is denied.
• Education is denied.

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