Sexual touching or kissing without consent
Abuse
What is Abuse?
Abuse is when someone hurts, mistreats, or takes advantage of another person. It can happen in different ways, like physically hurting someone, saying mean or hurtful things, or touching someone in a way that makes them uncomfortable. Abuse can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender, or background. It is important to understand abuse so it can be prevented so people can get the help and support they need to be safe and feel cared for.
A common misconception is that young people are abused by strangers, but it’s more likely that a young person will be harmed by someone they know, like a family member, friend, or trusted adult.
What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse is when someone under the age of 18 is harmed by a caregiver or someone they trust. It can include neglect (when needs like food, shelter, or care are not met) and witnessing violence at home.
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse happens when someone uses physical violence to hurt another person. It can include things like hitting, slapping, biting, punching, pushing, or choking. Physical abuse can cause injuries like bruises or broken bones.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse happens when someone uses words or behaviours to hurt, humiliate, embarrass, or put down someone. This can include bullying, mocking, or manipulating someone.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is when someone touches or does things of a sexual nature without your consent (permission). Consent is a voluntary, enthusiastic agreement and approval to engage in a specific action and can be withdrawn at any time.
Sexual abuse isn’t just about penetrative sex (penis in the vagina or anus).
It includes things like:
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is when someone is recruited, moved, bought, or manipulated for sexual purposes. This can happen to anyone, but it happens most often to girls and women and includes people who live in Canada or are brought here from other countries. Traffickers often try to “groom” victims by offering them gifts, attention, and affection to build trust.
Neglect
Neglect happens when someone (usually a caregiver) doesn’t meet your basic needs. This can include:
Witnessing Domestic Violence
Young people can experience abuse by witnessing (e.g. seeing, hearing) their parents or caregivers argue, fight, or get hurt. Even if the young person is not physically hurt, they can experience harm from witnessing domestic violence.
In Canada, witnessing domestic violence is considered child abuse. If you are experiencing any form of abuse, remember that you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to a trusted adult for help.
Youth Dating Violence: What You Need to Know
Youth dating violence happens when someone in a romantic or dating relationship uses abusive behaviours. It can be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and can happen in person or online.
Effects of Youth Dating Violence
Dating violence can lead to:
How to Prevent Youth Dating Violence
Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is when someone is hurt because of their gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This can happen to people of any gender, but it disproportionately affects women, girls, and people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+. Gender-based violence can include things like:
Get Help If You’re Experiencing Abuse
If you or someone you know is experiencing any kind of abuse, you don’t have to go through it alone. There are people ready to listen and help.
Reach out to a trusted adult: a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult you trust. See the resources on this page for further supports.
Additional Resources for Abuse
Kids Help Phone
Toll free, 24/7, confidential:
1-800-668-6868
Text:
CONNECT to 686868 for text chats
Abuse Help Lines Directory
Provided by the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS)
Provincial Sexual Assault Resources
Provincial Sexual Assault Hotlines
- Regina Sexual Assault Centre: Sexual Assault Line (24/7)
1-844-952-0434 - Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit: Sexual Assault Line (24/7)
306-764-1039 - Saskatoon Sexual Assault and Information Centre (24/7)
306-244-2224
Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
Toll free, 24/7, confidential:
1-833-900-1010