Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group
Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.
You're right. If it weren't so sick, it really would be funny to see the contortions and effort they go to, to find a reason why their behaviour isn't their own fault. It'd be comical if it weren't so serious.