Most abusers are not two headed monsters, nor are they strangers. Anyone who has more power than you can be an abuser.

Sometimes abusers are really nice people that you know and trust.

Young people can be abused by anyone such as family, babysitters, relatives or neighbours, and many young people are abused by their boy/girlfriends.

Most abuse happens at home or in the home of the abuser and often you can be too afraid to tell anyone what is happening. Even if you do want to tell, you may not know who to trust, or you may feel that you won’t be believed.

It is important to remember that you belong to you, and no one has the right to do anything to you that you don’t want. If someone touches you, hits you or makes you unhappy then it is abuse. It is their fault not yours.