Adults may experience abuse or mistreatment from someone they know and trust, such as a family member, friend or carer.
This can happen
- at home
- in places they visit regularly
- or where they receive care or services.
Abuse may be intentional or unintentional, and it can often remain hidden and go unnoticed.
Who is at risk?
Abuse can affect you or someone you know regardless of background. People might be at higher risk if they:
- Depend more on others for daily activities.
- Rely on others to manage finances.
- Feel isolated.
- Live with others.
- Experience age-related frailty.
- Have a long-term or sudden illness.
- Struggle with confusion or memory problems.
- Have dementia or illnesses affecting memory.
- Face mental health challenges.
- Have a history of trauma or domestic violence.
- Deal with drug or alcohol dependency.
- Engage in addictive behaviours.
Recognising these risk factors can help you stay aware and seek support if needed.
Types of abuse
Financial abuse happens when someone uses another person’s money or belongings without permission or in a way that is unfair or not in their best interests.
Examples of financial abuse
Financial abuse can include:
- using or managing someone’s money, property or assets without permission
- stealing money or belongings
- forging signatures
- forcing someone to change their Will or Power of Attorney
- adding a name to a bank account without consent to access money
- unusual or unexplained transfers of money or property
- creating debts in someone else’s name
- not paying back money that was borrowed
- pressuring or misleading someone to get their money or property
- actions that put someone at risk of homelessness
- moving someone into aged care against their wishes and at their cost
- selling or transferring assets (including a home) without their knowledge or consent
- stopping someone from buying essentials like food, medication or paying rent
- controlling or limiting access to a person’s own money
- taking control of finances against a person’s wishes
- misusing a Power of Attorney or trustee role
- pressuring someone to give gifts or transfer assets
- pressuring a person to change their Will or other planning documents
Warning signs of financial abuse
Some signs to look out for include:
- unexplained withdrawals, transfers or new bank accounts
- missing money, valuables or important documents
- unpaid bills when the person has enough income
- sudden changes to legal documents (like a Will or property title) without a clear reason
- fear, stress or anxiety about money
- a carer, friend or relative controlling access to money
- someone living in the home who refuses to pay rent or expenses and will not leave.
Financial abuse happens when someone uses another person’s money or belongings without permission or in a way that is unfair or not in their best interests.
Examples of financial abuse
Financial abuse can include:
- using or managing someone’s money, property or assets without permission
- stealing money or belongings
- forging signatures
- forcing someone to change their Will or Power of Attorney
- adding a name to a bank account without consent to access money
- unusual or unexplained transfers of money or property
- creating debts in someone else’s name
- not paying back money that was borrowed
- pressuring or misleading someone to get their money or property
- actions that put someone at risk of homelessness
- moving someone into aged care against their wishes and at their cost
- selling or transferring assets (including a home) without their knowledge or consent
- stopping someone from buying essentials like food, medication or paying rent
- controlling or limiting access to a person’s own money
- taking control of finances against a person’s wishes
- misusing a Power of Attorney or trustee role
- pressuring someone to give gifts or transfer assets
- pressuring a person to change their Will or other planning documents
Warning signs of financial abuse
Some signs to look out for include:
- unexplained withdrawals, transfers or new bank accounts
- missing money, valuables or important documents
- unpaid bills when the person has enough income
- sudden changes to legal documents (like a Will or property title) without a clear reason
- fear, stress or anxiety about money
- a carer, friend or relative controlling access to money
- someone living in the home who refuses to pay rent or expenses and will not leave.
Physical abuse is when someone uses physical force or violence that causes, or could cause, pain, injury, fear, or harm. This includes threatening to do these things.
Examples of physical abuse
Physical abuse can include:
- hitting, slapping, punching or pushing
- burning, pinching, biting or hair pulling
- twisting or cutting
- using force or restraint without a valid reason (for example, locking someone in a room or tying them to a chair)
- misusing medication, such as:
- not giving prescribed medication
- giving too much or too little
- using medication to control behaviour (chemical restraint)
- using someone’s medication for personal use or financial gain
- damaging property to scare or control a person.
Warning signs of physical abuse
Physical signs:
- unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
- injuries at different stages of healing
- marks from being held or restrained
- signs someone may be over-medicated.
Behaviour signs:
- appearing frightened, withdrawn, or anxious
- reacting fearfully around certain people
- being reluctant to speak or showing discomfort through body language
- noticeable changes in mood, behaviour, or ability.
Other signs:
- a carer who seems controlling or does not allow private conversations
- delays in getting medical help
- repeated or unexplained injuries over time.
Physical abuse is when someone uses physical force or violence that causes, or could cause, pain, injury, fear, or harm. This includes threatening to do these things.
Examples of physical abuse
Physical abuse can include:
- hitting, slapping, punching or pushing
- burning, pinching, biting or hair pulling
- twisting or cutting
- using force or restraint without a valid reason (for example, locking someone in a room or tying them to a chair)
- misusing medication, such as:
- not giving prescribed medication
- giving too much or too little
- using medication to control behaviour (chemical restraint)
- using someone’s medication for personal use or financial gain
- damaging property to scare or control a person.
Warning signs of physical abuse
Physical signs:
- unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
- injuries at different stages of healing
- marks from being held or restrained
- signs someone may be over-medicated.
Behaviour signs:
- appearing frightened, withdrawn, or anxious
- reacting fearfully around certain people
- being reluctant to speak or showing discomfort through body language
- noticeable changes in mood, behaviour, or ability.
Other signs:
- a carer who seems controlling or does not allow private conversations
- delays in getting medical help
- repeated or unexplained injuries over time.
Psychological or emotional abuse happens when someone uses words or actions to scare, control or isolate another person, or to harm their confidence, safety or self-worth.
Examples of psychological or emotional abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse can include:
- ongoing name-calling or putting someone down
- humiliating or degrading behaviour
- bullying, pressuring or intimidating someone
- threatening to harm the person, others or pets
- using insults or harsh language
- emotional blackmail or trying to control someone’s feelings
- telling a person they are a burden or unwanted
- treating a person like a child or talking down to them
- repeated unwanted phone calls or messages
- sending threatening messages or images
- using technology to track or monitor someone
- stopping or discouraging contact with friends or social activities
- keeping or hiding someone’s mail
- blocking access to phone calls or messages
- listening in on private calls
- stopping someone from taking part in cultural or religious activities
- using cultural or spiritual beliefs to control or shame someone
- forcing changes to an Advance Care Directive
- ongoing controlling behaviour that makes a person feel afraid, isolated or dependent (coercive control).
Warning signs of psychological or emotional abuse
The person may:
- feel scared, worried or upset around a particular person
- feel controlled or watched
- feel confused about what is happening
- doubt themselves or their decisions
- change their behaviour to avoid conflict
- spend less time with family, friends or supports
- feel alone or isolated
- feel powerless or trapped
- feel unable to speak up.
Psychological or emotional abuse happens when someone uses words or actions to scare, control or isolate another person, or to harm their confidence, safety or self-worth.
Examples of psychological or emotional abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse can include:
- ongoing name-calling or putting someone down
- humiliating or degrading behaviour
- bullying, pressuring or intimidating someone
- threatening to harm the person, others or pets
- using insults or harsh language
- emotional blackmail or trying to control someone’s feelings
- telling a person they are a burden or unwanted
- treating a person like a child or talking down to them
- repeated unwanted phone calls or messages
- sending threatening messages or images
- using technology to track or monitor someone
- stopping or discouraging contact with friends or social activities
- keeping or hiding someone’s mail
- blocking access to phone calls or messages
- listening in on private calls
- stopping someone from taking part in cultural or religious activities
- using cultural or spiritual beliefs to control or shame someone
- forcing changes to an Advance Care Directive
- ongoing controlling behaviour that makes a person feel afraid, isolated or dependent (coercive control).
Warning signs of psychological or emotional abuse
The person may:
- feel scared, worried or upset around a particular person
- feel controlled or watched
- feel confused about what is happening
- doubt themselves or their decisions
- change their behaviour to avoid conflict
- spend less time with family, friends or supports
- feel alone or isolated
- feel powerless or trapped
- feel unable to speak up.
Neglect happens when a person does not get the basic care they need to stay safe and well.
This can be intentional or unintentional.
It includes not providing essentials like food, safe housing, medical care or support, or stopping others from helping.
Examples of neglect
Neglect can include:
- not providing enough food, water or clothing
- not providing safe or clean-living conditions
- not giving needed medical care or support
- not helping with personal care (for example, bathing or dressing)
- not keeping someone safe or supervising them properly
- ignoring a person’s basic needs
- injuries not being treated
- refusing to allow others to provide care or support
- stopping someone from accessing health care
- lack of social, cultural, intellectual or physical stimulation.
Warning signs of neglect
The person may:
- look dirty, hungry or not dressed for the weather
- lose weight or feel weak
- have untreated injuries or health problems
- feel tired, unwell or in pain often
- be left alone when they need help
- feel uncared for or ignored
- miss medical appointments or not take prescribed medication.
Other signs
- carers avoid contact or do not allow others to see the person
- carers give inconsistent or repeated excuses about the person’s condition or whereabouts.
Neglect happens when a person does not get the basic care they need to stay safe and well.
This can be intentional or unintentional.
It includes not providing essentials like food, safe housing, medical care or support, or stopping others from helping.
Examples of neglect
Neglect can include:
- not providing enough food, water or clothing
- not providing safe or clean-living conditions
- not giving needed medical care or support
- not helping with personal care (for example, bathing or dressing)
- not keeping someone safe or supervising them properly
- ignoring a person’s basic needs
- injuries not being treated
- refusing to allow others to provide care or support
- stopping someone from accessing health care
- lack of social, cultural, intellectual or physical stimulation.
Warning signs of neglect
The person may:
- look dirty, hungry or not dressed for the weather
- lose weight or feel weak
- have untreated injuries or health problems
- feel tired, unwell or in pain often
- be left alone when they need help
- feel uncared for or ignored
- miss medical appointments or not take prescribed medication.
Other signs
- carers avoid contact or do not allow others to see the person
- carers give inconsistent or repeated excuses about the person’s condition or whereabouts.
Sexual abuse happens when someone is involved in a sexual activity without their consent, or when they cannot understand or say yes or no. It goes against their rights and dignity.
Examples of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse can include:
- rape or sexual assault
- indecent assault or sexual harassment
- grooming or exploitative behaviour
- touching or treating a person’s genital area in a rough or inappropriate way
- exposing someone to pornography without their consent
- forcing someone to be naked (enforced nudity)
- using obscene language or behaving in a sexual way in front of someone without their consent
- making obscene or unwanted phone calls.
Warning signs of sexual abuse
Some signs may be clear, while others are harder to notice.
Physical signs
- unexplained bruising, bleeding or pain in genital or anal areas
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- torn or bloody underwear
- difficulty walking or sitting
- frequent urinary tract infections or ongoing genital discomfort.
Behaviour signs
- sudden fear, anxiety, depression or withdrawal
- fear of certain people
- refusal to be bathed or undressed
- sexual behaviour or language that is unusual for the person
- nightmares or trouble sleeping
- self-harm.
Sexual abuse happens when someone is involved in a sexual activity without their consent, or when they cannot understand or say yes or no. It goes against their rights and dignity.
Examples of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse can include:
- rape or sexual assault
- indecent assault or sexual harassment
- grooming or exploitative behaviour
- touching or treating a person’s genital area in a rough or inappropriate way
- exposing someone to pornography without their consent
- forcing someone to be naked (enforced nudity)
- using obscene language or behaving in a sexual way in front of someone without their consent
- making obscene or unwanted phone calls.
Warning signs of sexual abuse
Some signs may be clear, while others are harder to notice.
Physical signs
- unexplained bruising, bleeding or pain in genital or anal areas
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- torn or bloody underwear
- difficulty walking or sitting
- frequent urinary tract infections or ongoing genital discomfort.
Behaviour signs
- sudden fear, anxiety, depression or withdrawal
- fear of certain people
- refusal to be bathed or undressed
- sexual behaviour or language that is unusual for the person
- nightmares or trouble sleeping
- self-harm.
Social abuse happens when someone is isolated from others or has limits placed on who they can see or talk to.
This can make it harder for others to notice if something is wrong.
Examples of social abuse
Social abuse can include:
- stopping a person from seeing family or friends
- controlling who a person can talk to or spend time with
- preventing someone from joining activities or community events
- blocking access to a phone, internet or transport
- making a person feel excluded or left out
- spreading rumours or damaging relationships.
Warning signs of social abuse
The person may:
- spend less time with family, friends or supports
- stop going to activities they used to attend
- seem quiet, withdrawn or isolated
- say they are not allowed to see certain people
- feel cut off from others.
Social abuse happens when someone is isolated from others or has limits placed on who they can see or talk to.
This can make it harder for others to notice if something is wrong.
Examples of social abuse
Social abuse can include:
- stopping a person from seeing family or friends
- controlling who a person can talk to or spend time with
- preventing someone from joining activities or community events
- blocking access to a phone, internet or transport
- making a person feel excluded or left out
- spreading rumours or damaging relationships.
Warning signs of social abuse
The person may:
- spend less time with family, friends or supports
- stop going to activities they used to attend
- seem quiet, withdrawn or isolated
- say they are not allowed to see certain people
- feel cut off from others.
If you are worried about someone you know
Read our guide on supporting someone you think is being abused.