Domestic Violence

What is it?

Domestic violence happens when one person hurts another person who is or was their partner or who is in the same family.
It can happen between people who are going out together, living together, have children together or are married to each other.
It can also happen between people who have a relationship but live separately. 


Domestic violence can also happen after a relationship has finished.

 

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Violência Doméstica  







Although domestic violence happens mostly between adults, young people can be affected by the abuse that they see and hear, and they can be hurt as part of domestic violence between adults.



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What forms of violence can take place in a family setting?

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE:

  • when your parents or carers try to hurt or punish you because of something you did by insulting you, screaming at you, threatening you or making you feel ashamed.
  • when your parents constantly forbid or prevent you from socialising with your friends or any other important person (for example, locking you inside your own house), and therefore prevent you from sharing your life with others or from having support and friendship from others.

PHYSICAL ABUSE:

  • when your parents or carers try to control, humiliate or punish you by using (or threatening to use) physical force or violence.
  • some examples of violence are: slapping you, punching or kicking you, hitting or throwing objects at you, tying or restraining you, biting or burning you.

SEXUAL ABUSE:

  • unwanted sexual comments or advances;
  • unwanted sexual touching (e.g. of your private parts);
  • being pressurised into performing sexual acts with others;
  • being made to participate in videos or photos involving sexual interaction and/or  exhibitionism (e.g. naked or sexual posing);
  • being made to watch something sexual (such as someone flashing or exposing themselves to you);
  • being forced or pressurised to have sex, including penetration of anus (bottom), vagina and/or mouth with body parts  (e.g. penis or fingers) or objects.

These acts can be performed under threats and intimidation, physical force or the threat of physical force.


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WORK EXPLOITATION:

  • when your parents or carers force you to perform tasks or activities that are clearly excessive or that should be performed by adults and that affect your performance at school.

adolescente triste   

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NEGLIGENCE:

  • when your parents or carers do not take care of you and protect you, for example by neglecting your health care, hygiene, food provision and/or education.
  • when your parents or carers do not show interest in your problems and do not give you the affection and attention you need to feel loved and wanted.
BEING EXPOSED TO YOUR PARENTS' FIGHTS AND ARGUMENTS:

  • when you witness or become aware that, for example, your parents hurt each other physically or verbally.

 

  • If your parents or other carers (for example, your grandparents or other relatives) display this type of behaviour, they are affecting your well-being and development. If this is happening, you have the right to ask for help. To know more, read Strategies to protect yourself.