Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Is Affected By Abuse?TypesEffectsTreatmentCopingHow to Report Abuse
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Is Affected By Abuse?
Types
Effects
Treatment
Coping
How to Report Abuse
This article will explain the different types of abuse and their effects on a person. It will also discuss how to cope if you have been abused and how to report it safely.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Anyone of any age, race, or socioeconomic background can be a victim of abuse. Here is a rundown of how abuse tends to be perpetrated on people of different ages:
Adults:Adult abuse is similar to child abuse in that it involves one person harming another, but the victim is an adult. It can be physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional in nature. A common form of adult abuse isintimate partner violence, which is when one person in a close relationship causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm to their partner.
What Is Neglect?When a person responsible for the care of another person does not provide needed care or leaves them without care, this is called neglect. Anyone in need of care—a child, older person, disabled or ill person—can be a victim of neglect. Not providing adequate housing, food, education, clothing, or access to care and ignoring a person’s emotional needs are all examples of neglect.
What Is Neglect?
When a person responsible for the care of another person does not provide needed care or leaves them without care, this is called neglect. Anyone in need of care—a child, older person, disabled or ill person—can be a victim of neglect. Not providing adequate housing, food, education, clothing, or access to care and ignoring a person’s emotional needs are all examples of neglect.
Types of Abuse
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. Regardless of the reason, abuse is never justified, and it is never the fault of the victim.
Six main types of abuse include:
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 type of relationship.Physical abuse that occurs within a marriage or among partners that live together is calleddomestic violence.
Types of physical abuse include:
Emotional Abuse
Psychological oremotional abuseis when one person purposely harms the mental well-being of another person in a non-physical way, sometimes referred to as nonphysical abuse.
An emotional abuser uses the following tactics:
It is common for victims of abuse to feel guilty. This can be the result of thoughts that they should have done something to prevent or stop the abuse, or that they did something wrong to deserve the abuse.Abuse is never the fault of the victim.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves sexual violence or exploitation, or forcing someone to engage in sexual activity against their will.
Forms of sexual abuse include:
Financial Abuse
You may be experiencing financial abuse if your partner or caregiver does the following:
Digital Abuse
Someone who engages in digital abuse exerts control using social media, texting, and other forms of technolgy. Digital abuse is most common in dating relationships and especially affects teenagers.
Digital abuse may involve:
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 behaviors include:
The Four Stages of the Cycle of Abuse
Effects of Abuse
Being the victim of abuse can leave lasting scars, whether physical, psychological, or both.
Some of the effects of abuse include:
Suicide Prevention HelplineIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Suicide Prevention Helpline
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Treatment for abuse depends on the type of abuse, severity, and harm that is caused. Types of care include:
How to Cope
Beyond medical treatments and talk therapy, there are many things victims of abuse can do to cope with the effects and improve their overall well-being and quality of life after abuse.
Here’s what you can do to help yourself heal:
It is also important to be aware of your thoughts and work on developing a healthy self-image. This is a skill that can be learned and practiced. A trained mental health professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist can help you with this process.
Helping Someone Who Is Being Abused
Several things can be done to help someone who is going through abuse.
Provide them with abuse resources and professionals that they can contact for help and support them in dealing with or leaving the abusive situation. Finally, let them make their own decisions, even if they decide, possibly, for now, not to leave.
Choosing the Right Therapist
Domestic Violence HelplineIf you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.
Domestic Violence Helpline
If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.
Child Abuse HelplineIf you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.
Child Abuse Helpline
If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.
Sexual Assault HelplineIf you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.
Sexual Assault Helpline
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.
Summary
People who are abused are at an increased risk of adverse effects such as depression and PTSD. The physical and mental effects of abuse are treated with medical care and talk therapy. There are also coping methods to help, such as relaxation, stress management, and thought management.
These ‘Distress Signals’ May Help You Get Out of an Unsafe Situation
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing child abuse and neglect.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Statistics.American Psychological Association.Child abuse.American Psychological Association.Intimate partner violence.National Institute on Aging.Elder abuse.NursingHomeAbuse.org.Nursing home abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.American Psychological Association.Physical abuse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Physical abuse.American Psychological Association.Emotional abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Why people stay in an abusive relationship.American Psychological Association.Sexual abuse.National Adult Protective Services Association.Financial exploitation.Hinduja S, Patchin JW.Digital dating abuse among a national sample of U.S. Youth.J Interpers Violence. January 8, 2020. doi:10.1177/0886260519897344National Center for Victims of Crime. Victim Connect.Stalking.Strathearn L, Giannotti M, Mills R, Kisely R, Najman J, Abajobir A.Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect.PediatricsOctober 2020; 146 (4): e20200438. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0438Parents against child exploitation.What is trauma bonding?Suicide Prevention Resource Center.Child abuse prevention is suicide prevention.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Alliance on Mental Health.Six self-care tips on overcoming abuse-related trauma.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Local resources.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing child abuse and neglect.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Statistics.American Psychological Association.Child abuse.American Psychological Association.Intimate partner violence.National Institute on Aging.Elder abuse.NursingHomeAbuse.org.Nursing home abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.American Psychological Association.Physical abuse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Physical abuse.American Psychological Association.Emotional abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Why people stay in an abusive relationship.American Psychological Association.Sexual abuse.National Adult Protective Services Association.Financial exploitation.Hinduja S, Patchin JW.Digital dating abuse among a national sample of U.S. Youth.J Interpers Violence. January 8, 2020. doi:10.1177/0886260519897344National Center for Victims of Crime. Victim Connect.Stalking.Strathearn L, Giannotti M, Mills R, Kisely R, Najman J, Abajobir A.Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect.PediatricsOctober 2020; 146 (4): e20200438. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0438Parents against child exploitation.What is trauma bonding?Suicide Prevention Resource Center.Child abuse prevention is suicide prevention.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Alliance on Mental Health.Six self-care tips on overcoming abuse-related trauma.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Local resources.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing child abuse and neglect.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Statistics.American Psychological Association.Child abuse.American Psychological Association.Intimate partner violence.National Institute on Aging.Elder abuse.NursingHomeAbuse.org.Nursing home abuse.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.American Psychological Association.Physical abuse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Physical abuse.American Psychological Association.Emotional abuse.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Why people stay in an abusive relationship.American Psychological Association.Sexual abuse.National Adult Protective Services Association.Financial exploitation.Hinduja S, Patchin JW.Digital dating abuse among a national sample of U.S. Youth.J Interpers Violence. January 8, 2020. doi:10.1177/0886260519897344National Center for Victims of Crime. Victim Connect.Stalking.Strathearn L, Giannotti M, Mills R, Kisely R, Najman J, Abajobir A.Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect.PediatricsOctober 2020; 146 (4): e20200438. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0438Parents against child exploitation.What is trauma bonding?Suicide Prevention Resource Center.Child abuse prevention is suicide prevention.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Alliance on Mental Health.Six self-care tips on overcoming abuse-related trauma.National Domestic Violence Hotline.Local resources.
American Psychological Association.Abuse.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing child abuse and neglect.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Statistics.
American Psychological Association.Child abuse.
American Psychological Association.Intimate partner violence.
National Institute on Aging.Elder abuse.
NursingHomeAbuse.org.Nursing home abuse.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing intimate partner violence.
American Psychological Association.Physical abuse.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Physical abuse.
American Psychological Association.Emotional abuse.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Why people stay in an abusive relationship.
American Psychological Association.Sexual abuse.
National Adult Protective Services Association.Financial exploitation.
Hinduja S, Patchin JW.Digital dating abuse among a national sample of U.S. Youth.J Interpers Violence. January 8, 2020. doi:10.1177/0886260519897344
National Center for Victims of Crime. Victim Connect.Stalking.
Strathearn L, Giannotti M, Mills R, Kisely R, Najman J, Abajobir A.Long-term cognitive, psychological, and health outcomes associated with child abuse and neglect.PediatricsOctober 2020; 146 (4): e20200438. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0438
Parents against child exploitation.What is trauma bonding?
Suicide Prevention Resource Center.Child abuse prevention is suicide prevention.
Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005
National Alliance on Mental Health.Six self-care tips on overcoming abuse-related trauma.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.Local resources.
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