Has a grown-up or another kid ever said or done anything that hurt or made you uncomfortable? Has a friend told you a story about someone hurting him?

Hitting, grabbing, and yelling can all be kinds of abuse (say: ah-buse), which some kids live with every day. Abuse hurts, and it's scary.

Abuse can happen in all kinds of families. It can happen in families living in mansions or in shelters or in families with one or with two parents at home. It sometimes happens in families with uncles, aunts, or grandparents in the house or in families that yell a lot or ones that never yell.

Abusing kids, or anyone, is wrong. And it's never the fault of the person being abused.

If you think you're a victim of abuse or you think someone you know is abused - a friend or someone in school or your neighborhood - there is help. Read this article to find out how to tell if you or a friend is being abused and what to do about it.

Good Touch, Bad Touch, and Confusing Touch
We all know what a good touch feels like. A good touch might be a hug from your mom or dad, a snuggle with your grandma for a story, or a cuddle with your pet.

Many kids have also felt a bad touch at some time in their lives. Bad touches, like hitting, pinching, or kicking, hurt and are no fun.

Touching can also leave you feeling confused. Sometimes being tickled is fun and makes you laugh. But it can also make you feel uncomfortable or like you don't have control over your own body.

When touch feels bad or confusing, it can be abuse, especially when you ask someone to stop, and they don't.

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