Short definitions for terms used in our research pages and knowledge base. Each entry names the source so you can verify wording in the original material.
Jump to letter
Showing terms starting with L. Show all letters
Showing 6 of 6 terms in this view.
LGBTQIA+ refers to persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or asexual. The + is used to include individuals who are questioning, a romantic, pansexual, non-binary, gender fluid, genderqueer, agender or an LGBTQIA+ ally.
reporting the crime that has
been committed so that the police can begin a
thorough investigation of the facts and collect
evidence in support of these facts
Urban formal refers to cities, towns, townships and suburbs excluding informal settlements; urban informal or informal and squatter settlements refers to unplanned settlement on land which has not been surveyed or proclaimed as residential; rural informal refers to tribal areas; rural formal refers to farm areas including commercial farms.
Love bombing is a manipulation tactic where someone overwhelms another person with excessive attention, affection, compliments, and promises to gain control. It often feels intense and exciting at first, but the goal is not love; it is dependency.
Love bombing may include constant messaging, expensive gifts, talking about marriage or moving in very early, or saying things like “I’ve never felt this way before” within days or weeks. When a person sets boundaries or asks for space, the love bomber may respond with guilt-tripping, anger, or the withdrawal of affection.
A note on language: The use of the word bombing can be harmful. Follow the lead of survivors in using the terms they feel comfortable with.
Love Bombing’ is a way of exercising control through overwhelming displays of affection, gifts, and praise. It usually begins early in an intimate relationship and/or following an incident of abuse to avoid a breakup and minimize the abuse. Love bombing can be difficult to identify because it can seem romantic and make the person feel happy and loved.
However, Love Bombing differs from romance as it occurs along with controlling behaviours. The person love bombing might push for a serious commitment early on, demand all their partner's attention, require constant communication, and show possessiveness which leaves their partner feeling guilty, uncomfortable, pressured, and smothered
a lotion or gel used to reduce friction
by making something smooth and slippery