You have the right to be safe.
Before We Begin. This module includes hard topics. You can take a break at any time. You can talk to someone you trust. You don’t have to go through anything alone.
Why does this module matter? People with disabilities have a long history of being mistreated, ignored, or not believed (module 3).
Many of us lived in institutions where abuse and neglect happened every day.
Even today, we are more likely to be hurt or treated badly than people without disabilities. Almost 4 out of 10 people with disabilities have been hit, touched in a way they didn’t want, or hurt on purpose.
For people with mental health disabilities, that number is even higher. About 7 out of 10 have been hurt this way at some point in their life.
That’s why it’s so important to learn what abuse and neglect look like, so you can speak up, get help, and stay safe.
We all need to know:
- What abuse, neglect, and mistreatment are
- How to recognize when something is wrong
- What to do and who to talk to if something happens
- You have the right to be safe. You have the right to speak up.
Everyone Has the Right to Be Safe
You have the right to:
- Feel safe
- Be respected
- Be treated fairly
- Say no
- Speak up if something is wrong
These rights are protected by laws in Canada, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What Is Abuse?
Abuse is when someone hurts you on purpose. It is not an accident. It is a choice someone makes, and it is always wrong.
Abuse can happen in different ways. It can come from anyone: a support worker, family member, roommate, friend, or stranger. Abuse is about power. Someone uses their words, actions, or control to make you feel scared, small, or unsafe.
Here are some of the most common types of abuse and what they might look like:
Physical abuse
This is when someone uses their body to hurt you or scare you. Examples:
- Hitting, slapping, kicking, or punching
- Pushing, grabbing, shaking, or pinching
- Twisting your arm or pulling your hair
- Using too much force when helping you dress or move
Emotional abuse
This is when someone makes you feel worthless, afraid, or embarrassed on purpose. Examples:
- Yelling or screaming at you
- Calling you names or saying mean things
- Making fun of you or laughing at your disability
- Ignoring you or giving you the silent treatment
- Treating you like a child when you are an adult
- Blaming you unfairly or threatening you
- Making you feel like you do not matter
Sexual abuse
This is when someone touches you or talks to you about sexual things without your permission. Examples:
- Touching you in a private area when you do not want it
- Showing you sexual photos or videos
- Making sexual jokes or comments about your body
- Pressuring or forcing you to do something sexual
- Not listening when you say “no” or “stop”
Financial abuse
This is when someone takes or controls your money, bank card, or belongings without your permission or full understanding. Sometimes financial abuse can start off as “help,” but then slowly turn into control. If you do not feel safe or in control of your own money, that is a red flag. You have the right to speak up and get help. Examples:
- Taking your money or personal items
- Using your bank card without asking
- Telling you what you can or cannot buy
- Keeping your ID, bank card, or wallet
- Making you sign papers you do not understand
- Asking you to buy them things or give them money
- Controlling all your spending so you have no say
What Is Neglect?
Neglect is when someone is supposed to support you but doesn’t. Examples:
- Not helping you take your medicine
- Not getting you to a doctor or dentist
- Not giving you food, clean clothes, or help with hygiene
- Leaving you alone when you need support
- Not keeping your home safe and warm
What Is Mistreatment?
Mistreatment means being treated unfairly or without care. It can include:
- Being laughed at
- Being excluded
- Being talked down to
- Being controlled or ignored
Signs That Something Is Wrong
You might notice things like:
- Bruises or injuries that no one explained
- Someone acting scared, sad, or very quiet
- Dirty clothes, no food, or being left out
- Missing money or possessions
- Someone saying they feel unsafe
If something doesn’t feel right — trust your gut.
Who Can Cause Harm?
Anyone can be an abuser. It might be:
- A support worker
- A family member
- A roommate or friend
- A doctor
- A stranger
If someone is hurting you, it is never your fault.
Where can abuse happen?
Abuse can happen anywhere. It might be at:
- Home
- Work
- School
- Day program
- Family/friend’s house
- In public places like the mall, movies, or restaurants
- At hospitals
What Can You Do?
You do not have to deal with it alone. If something feels wrong or unsafe, you can ask:
- A trusted support worker
- A friend or family member
- A nurse or doctor
- A team lead or supervisor
- A social worker or Community Service Worker (Manitoba)
- The police (if you’re in danger)
- A protection or complaint line in your province or territory
You don’t need to explain it perfectly. Just share what happened the best you can: in person, on the phone, or with help.
The person you tell can:
- Help you report it to the right place
- Make sure you are safe
- Talk to other people who can help
- Support you emotionally through what happened
- Make a safety plan with you
- Help stop the abuse from continuing
Help is out there — but it starts with telling someone when something feels wrong.
What If They Don’t Listen?
Keep going. If someone doesn’t listen the first time, tell someone else. You will not get in trouble. You have the right to speak up until someone helps.
If You Live in Manitoba
In Manitoba, you can report abuse or neglect of an adult with an intellectual disability by contacting the Provincial Protections Investigation Unit:
Resources
These tools and links can help you keep learning about your rights and responsibilities. They are made for people with disabilities and the people who support them.
Sources
A Message from Paul…
Nobody should be neglected. If your activities of daily living are neglected, you should say something. Don’t wait. I was in a caregiver situation that was very neglectful of my activities of daily living. I wasn’t given the care I needed. I knew I needed to speak up but, when I tried, they wouldn’t listen, or they were too busy to listen. I didn’t say anything to anyone for over a year.
It wasn’t until I had a conversation with a friend who told me that “getting out of that situation is the right thing to do.” At that point I knew I needed to talk to my case manager about my options. When I spoke to my case manager, they gave me the options I was looking for. I spoke to my dad about the choices to help me decide. I chose to move into a new caregiving situation which was much better for me.
From this I learned that I don’t have to put up with neglect and that I can say something when I need something. I’m glad I had a team around me that could listen to me and give me options. I hope this helps others to not go through what I have gone through. I want others to not wait to say something and to get the help they need.
Resources
These tools and links can help you keep learning about your rights and responsibilities. They are made for people with disabilities and the people who support them.
Sources
Who Can I Talk to?
It’s important to know that you are not alone.
If something feels wrong or unsafe, there are people you can talk to.
To help you remember who those people are, we’ve created a simple activity called “Who Can I Talk to?”
This activity gives you space to:
- Write down names and phone numbers of people you trust
- Keep track of important contacts
- Know who to call if you ever feel unsafe or unsure
You can download and print this page or fill it out on your computer.
Keep it somewhere safe and easy to access.
Resources
These tools and links can help you keep learning about your rights and responsibilities. They are made for people with disabilities and the people who support them.
Sources
Final Thoughts
You have the right to live free from abuse, neglect, and mistreatment.
You deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard.
If something feels wrong — say something. Don’t ignore it.
You are not alone. People will listen.
And it is never your fault.
If you are feeling unsafe or unsure, here is the list again of some people you can talk to:
- A trusted support worker
- A friend or family member
- A nurse or doctor
- A team lead or supervisor
- A social worker or Community Service Worker (Manitoba)
- The police (if you’re in danger)
- A protection or complaint line in your province or territory
Resources
These tools and links can help you keep learning about your rights and responsibilities. They are made for people with disabilities and the people who support them.
Sources
Keep learning: next module
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Completed
Rights and Responsibilities
What is a Right? What is a Law? Who’s in the Driver Seat of Your Life?
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Completed
Choice
What is Choice? And How Do We Build Our Decision-Making Muscles?
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4
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1
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3
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Completed
History
History of People with Disabilities.
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6
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1
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9
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Completed
The Law
There’s no such thing as disability rights. It’s all about human rights.
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5
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2
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4
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Completed
Free from Abuse, Neglect and Mistreatment
You have the right to be safe.
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Completed
Choosing Services
Learn how support funding works in Manitoba and how to choose what’s right for you.
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Completed
Rights Restrictions and Due Process
Your rights come first. Restrictions are the last resort.
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Completed
Speaking Up and Being Heard
Your voice matters. Use it.
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Completed
Supporting Authentic Leadership
When people with disabilities lead, everyone wins.