Abuse can come in many forms.  Typically abuse takes form in three ways, mental, physical, and emotional.   There are some steps you can take to help lower the risk of abuse.

Adults: 

• You can take the time to learn what abuse is and
  isn’t, so that you immediately recognize abuse if it occurs to you or
  someone close to you.
• If you have a tendency to be passive in relationships with others, you can learn to be more assertive, particularly in communicating your boundaries and what is acceptable and not acceptable to you.
• If you have a tendency to be very assertive with others, you may want to consult with others you trust so as to make
  sure you are not habitually and unconsciously crossing over the line from assertiveness into abuse. If you are told you tend to be aggressive rather than assertive, you can learn how to become more assertive rather than aggressive in your interactions.

Parents: 

• To identify what abuse is and isn’t and how to avoid circumstances that might lead to abuse.
• The difference between appropriate and inappropriate touching.
• What their body parts are and how they are appropriately named so that they can properly describe it if someone touches them in an inappropriate place.
• That someone might threaten them with violence if they tell about inappropriate behavior, but that they should always
  tell you.
• That they are allowed to say “no” when someone asks them for something they don’t want (being assertive), especially with strangers.

You should also watch your kids for signs that something has changed
for the worse (behavioral, physical, or personality changes that suggest
something disturbing has occurred), and ask them direct questions if
you suspect the worst. Take the necessary steps to track abuse down and
stop it from repeating immediately. Please strongly consider getting
your children and perhaps your entire family involved in professional
psychotherapy with a therapist specializing in the treatment of abuse
if your children have been abused.

Dating/Relationships:

• Never let your drink out of your sight.  If available, use a Rohypnol test kit to test if your drink has been spiked.
• Use the buddy system. Go out with friends and do not let each other out of your sight.
• Be wary and do not take unnecessary and risky decisions such as going home with strangers or meeting them in non-public places.
• Tell someone at home where you are going and when you will be back.
• If you do choose to engage in sexual behavior, be very clear and explicit with your partner about the level of sexual activity you are and are not willing to engage in.
• Carry your own latex condoms if you intend to have sex with strangers (latex condoms protect against STDs where some
  others don’t) and insist that they be used.

Source: Mentalhelp.net/abuse/prevention

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