Abuse in close relationships

Abuse is a form of violence when someone hurts you, or does or says things to make you upset. It is abuse in close relationships when the person abusing is a relative or is closely connected to you. It can be your current or former spouse or partner, a family member, or caregiver. Abuse occurs regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity or any other reason. Violence comes in many forms.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is when somebody continually mistreats you emotionally. It's sometimes called psychological abuse. It is emotional abuse when someone threatens you or deliberately tries to scare, humiliate, isolate or ignore you.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse and violence are when someone hurts you physically, like with pinching, shoving, kicking, or punching. Threats of physical abuse are also physical violence.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is when someone touches you inappropriately or sexually or forces you to perform a sexual act against your will. Sexual harassment with words or action is also abuse.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is when someone cheats you of your money, steals from you, or denies you access to your money.

Manneskja horfir á símann sinn sem sýnir ólæsileg skilaboð. Hún snýr baki í okkur svo við sjáum á símann í höndunum á henni. Mikið liðað hár sveiflast í vindinum.

Digital abuse

Digital abuse is when someone uses technology or technological devices to monitor, harass, threaten, or humiliate you.

Negligence

Negligence is when someone does not tend to the needs of a helpless individual, like a child, a person with a disability or an elderly person.

You can contact emergency services if you suspect that you or somebody you know is being abused.

Open 112 webchat

Can you recognise abuse?

Read stories about people in various difficult situations and see if you can recognise abuse.

Get help

It's always best to tell someone how you feel. Here are available resources in Iceland if you need help, whether it is for yourself or someone you know.

View resources

Online safety

It’s important to be aware of potential risks with technology. Read about how to use your devices and accounts safely.