Commonly Used Terms in Family Programs
Abuse
Harming or hurting another person. There are different kinds of abuse, and it is not only physical.
Anonymous
Means you are not named or identified.
For example, if you anonymously call for support, they only know who you are if you give permission or let them know who you are.
Assault
When someone hurts or threatens to hurt you physically, emotionally, and sexually.
Domestic
Means at home or relating to family members.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is when someone says repeated hurtful comments or what they say they will do to you that make you afraid for your safety. It is when your feelings and emotions are threatened or hurt.
Emergency
Also called urgent. It is an unexpected and serious situation requiring immediate action.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is when someone controls all your income or money and prevents you from using it. It can also be if someone else is keeping your credit cards, debit cards, or cash and hiding it from you.
Isolation
When you are feeling alone or do not have anyone like friends or family to talk to, and you feel separated from everyone else.
LGBTQ2S+
A term and an acronym to describe gender identities or how everyone identifies as – lesbian, gay, binary (male or female), trans, queer, or Two-Spirited. It is constantly evolving, if you are not sure, ask questions.
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Physical abuse
Physical abuse is an act that intends to cause physical harm on a person. Some examples include biting, strangling, hitting, slapping, pushing, burning, kicking and use of objects or threatening to use force. It can sometimes leave visible injuries on the body.
Poverty
Poverty refers to a state in which an individual is unable to afford or support themselves to access basic needs such as food and shelter.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is unwanted touching or talking that is sexual in nature, or someone forces you to touch them.
Shelter
A temporary place you can stay if you are escaping an abusive situation, do not have a home, a place to stay, or cannot afford to pay rent.
Transition
Means you are moving or changing from one position to another.
For example, you will change or move to a safer home if you live in an abusive home.
TTY
Means teletypewriter. It is a text-based communication used if the person cannot hear very well or understand speech.
The person sending a message types it on a small keyboard, and the person receiving it reads the text on display.
Violence
The use of physical force or strength to hurt someone.