Everyone has arguments, and everyone disagrees with their partners, family members and others close to them from time to time. However, if this begins to form a consistent pattern and you feel afraid of your partner, then this is a sign of domestic abuse. You may feel like you have no power over your life and that your partner is controlling you.

Domestic abuse doesn’t just happen to women, men can experience domestic abuse to, remember you are not alone.

Spotting the signs

Any one of the following is serious, You do not need to experience several, or all of them to experience domestic abuse.

Complains that you spend too much time with friends and family and make you feel guilty if you don’t spend all your free time with them.

Sends you constant texts and get mad if you don’t respond right away.

Tells you how to dress, criticise your clothes and undermine how you think or feel .

They have a bad temper and you feel afraid to disagree with them.

Accuses you of cheating on them all the time.

Asks for all your passwords so they can check your messages.

Pressures or coerces you to do things sexually that you don’t want to do.

Are physically violent to you.

Controls your access to basic essentials such as the car, the family finances, food, the telephone and internet .

Threatens to hurt you, themselves or others if you end the relationship.

It can be isolating and terrifying if you are experiencing domestic abuse, Remember it is NOT your fault and there is help out there.

Contact the Gardi by calling 999/112, if you are in a different country call your local emergency number and ask for police.

Any intentional harm or mistreatment to a child under 18 years old is considered child abuse. Child abuse takes many forms, which often occur at the same time.

Physical abuse. Physical child abuse occurs when a child is purposely physically injured or put at risk of harm by another person.

Sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is any sexual activity with a child. This can involve sexual contact, such as intentional sexual touching, oral-genital contact or intercourse. This can also involve noncontact sexual abuse of a child, such as exposing a child to sexual activity or pornography; observing or filming a child in a sexual manner; sexual harassment of a child; or prostitution of a child, including sex trafficking.

Emotional abuse. Emotional child abuse means injuring a child's self-esteem or emotional well-being. It includes verbal and emotional assault — such as continually belittling or berating a child — as well as isolating, ignoring or rejecting a child.

Medical abuse. Medical child abuse occurs when someone gives false information about illness in a child that requires medical attention, putting the child at risk of injury and unnecessary medical care.

Neglect. Child neglect is failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, clean living conditions, affection, supervision, education, or dental or medical care.

In many cases, child abuse is done by someone the child knows and trusts — often a parent or other relative. If you suspect child abuse, report the abuse to the proper authorities.

Signs

A child who's being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. The child may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. That's why it's vital to watch for red flags, such as:

Withdrawal from friends or usual activities

Changes in behaviour — such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity — or changes in school performance

Depression, anxiety or unusual fears, or a sudden loss of self-confidence

Sleep problems and nightmares

An apparent lack of supervision

Frequent absences from school

Rebellious or defiant behaviour

Self-harm or attempts at suicide

Specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of abuse and can vary. Keep in mind that warning signs are just that — warning signs. The presence of warning signs doesn't necessarily mean that a child is being abused.

Physical abuse signs and symptoms

Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, broken bones (fractures) or burns

Injuries that don't match the given explanation

Injuries that aren't compatible with the child's developmental ability

Sexual abuse signs and symptoms

Sexual behaviour or knowledge that's inappropriate for the child's age

Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection

Genital or anal pain, bleeding, or injury

Statements by the child that he or she was sexually abused

Inappropriate sexual behaviour with other children

Emotional abuse signs and symptoms

Delayed or inappropriate emotional development

Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem

Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm

Depression

Avoidance of certain situations, such as refusing to go to school or ride the bus

Appears to desperately seek affection

A decrease in school performance or loss of interest in school

Loss of previously acquired developmental skills

Neglect signs and symptoms

Poor growth

Excessive weight with medical complications that are not being adequately addressed

Poor personal cleanliness

Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs

Hoarding or stealing food

Poor record of school attendance

Lack of appropriate attention for medical, dental or psychological problems or lack of necessary follow-up care

Parental behaviour

Sometimes a parent's demeanour or behaviour sends red flags about child abuse. Warning signs include a parent who:

Shows little concern for the child

Appears unable to recognize physical or emotional distress in the child

Blames the child for the problems

Consistently belittles or berates the child, and describes the child with negative terms, such as "worthless" or "evil"

Expects the child to provide attention and care to the parent and seems jealous of other family members getting attention from the child

Uses harsh physical discipline

Demands an inappropriate level of physical or academic performance

Severely limits the child's contact with others

Offers conflicting or unconvincing explanations for a child's injuries or no explanation at all

Repeatedly brings the child for medical evaluations or requests medical tests, such as X-rays and lab tests, for concerns not seen during the health care provider's examination

Physical punishment

Child health experts condemn the use of violence in any form, but some people still use physical punishment, such as spanking, to discipline their children. While parents and caregivers often use physical punishment with the intention of helping their children or making their behaviour better, research shows that spanking is linked with worse, not better, behaviour. It's also linked to mental health problems, difficult relationships with parents, lower self-esteem and lower academic performance.

Any physical punishment may leave emotional scars. Parental behaviours that cause pain, physical injury or emotional trauma — even when done in the name of discipline — could be child abuse.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase a person's risk of becoming abusive include:

• A history of being abused or neglected as a child

• Physical or mental illness, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Family crisis or stress, including domestic violence and other marital conflicts, or single parenting

• A child in the family who is developmentally or physically disabled

• Financial stress, unemployment or poverty

• Social or extended family isolation

• Poor understanding of child development and parenting skills

• Alcohol, drugs or other substance abuse

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.