Legal Definitions - abuser

Abuser

An abuser is an individual who intentionally causes harm, mistreats, or exploits another person, an animal, or a resource. This harm can take many forms, including physical violence, emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, or severe neglect.

• Example 1: A landlord who repeatedly threatens and intimidates a tenant to force them out of their apartment, even though the tenant has paid rent on time.
• Explanation: In this scenario, the landlord is an abuser because they are intentionally causing emotional distress and attempting to exploit the tenant's vulnerability to gain an unfair advantage, which constitutes emotional and potentially financial abuse.
• Example 2: A coach who regularly uses demeaning language, public humiliation, and excessive physical demands that cause injury to young athletes, despite warnings from medical staff.
• Explanation: Here, the coach acts as an abuser by inflicting emotional and physical harm on the athletes through their actions and disregard for their well-being.
• Example 3: An adult child who takes control of their elderly parent's bank accounts and uses the funds for their own personal expenses without the parent's knowledge or consent, leaving the parent unable to pay their bills.
• Explanation: This situation demonstrates an abuser engaging in financial exploitation, where they misuse a vulnerable person's resources for personal gain, causing significant financial harm.