Different Types of Abuse
Types of Abuse
Individuals experience different types of abuse. Some experience a combination of types. For
example, a person may experience abuse by their partner (intimate partner violence) in the form of
sexual, psychological, and physical harm repeatedly over the years.
While each type of abuse is different and can range in severity, frequency, and duration, they can all
have a significant impact on overall well-being and, left untreated, cause even more harm to the
individual. Regardless of the reason, abuse is never justified, and it is never the fault of the victim.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves one person injuring the body of another person and can be inflicted on a
person of any age and within any relationship.
Types of physical abuse include:
• Shaking
• Hitting
• Throwing items
• Hair-pulling
• Slapping
• Kicking
• Restraining
Emotional Abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse is when one person purposely harms the mental well-being of
another person in a non-physical way.
Emotional abuse includes:
• Humiliation
• Harassment
• Rejection
• Isolation
• Control
• Withholding affection
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves sexual violence, exploitation, or forcing someone to engage in sexual activity.
Sexual abuse includes:
• Rape
• Forcing someone to watch pornography or taking pictures
• Forcing someone to dress in a suggestive manner
• Threatening to withhold something if someone does not have sex with someone
Financial Abuse
Financial or material abuse is the misuse or stealing of money, assets, or belongings of another
person for personal gain, sometimes by coercion, threats, or deception.
Financial abuse includes:
• Someone has control over your money
• Someone steals from you
• Someone who refuses to contribute to household expenses
Digital Abuse
Someone who engages in digital abuse exerts control using social media, texting, and other forms
of technology; this especially affects teenagers.
Digital abuse includes:
• Cyberbullying
• Demanding to know passwords
• Nonconsensual sexting
• Controlling social media use
Stalking
Stalking is a type of harassment that involves keeping tabs on another person's whereabouts to an
excessive degree, often causing the person to fear for their safety.
Stalking includes:
• Lingering near someone's home, school, or office
• Sending unwanted gifts, texts, or emails
• Monitoring a person's phone calls or computer use,
• Uses hidden cameras or global positioning systems (GPS)
Effects of Abuse
Being the victim of abuse can leave lasting scars, whether physical, psychological, or both.
Some of the effects of abuse include:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Low self-esteem
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Physical scars
• Trauma bonding
• Death
• Suicide