CONTENT WARNING: domestic abuse, violence, sexual assault, self harm
Many people know someone or is someone who has experienced some form of abuse in their life. Often, it can be domestic abuse within families. Other times, it can be from coworkers and authority figures. Sometimes it's from complete strangers. Most forms of abuse can go unnoticed, and many don't recognize signs of other types of abuse. Here is a basic guide to all of the kinds of abuse and what to look for.
1. Physical Abuse
This is one of the more well known and visible forms of abuse. This can range from rough handling to fatal physical trauma that can have lasting affects. Physical abuse can also have mental effects such as PTSD, depression, anxiety and self-mutilation.
2. Sexual Abuse
This is also another well-known form of abuse, but it is often discounted, especially with rape culture in today's society. Sexual abuse can have a number of physical effects such as STI's, physical trauma and pregnancy, as well as psychological effects like PTSD, dissociation and depression.
3. Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse is arguably one of the most dangerous forms of abuse, especially for children and adolescents still in development. This can result in the victim being very dependent on their abuser, isolating themselves socially and can even create physical pain without cause.
4. Neglect
Neglect can manifest in several ways, from lacking an emotional connection with your child to forgetting to feed them. This can result in depression and anxiety, dissociation, difficulty concentrating and difficulty connecting to others.
5. Abandonment
Abandonment is most often presented as parents leaving their children. Even if the intentions are good, this can still have lasting effects on the victims, such as insecurities, anxiety, depression, isolation and other mental and behavioral disorders.
6. Financial/Economic Abuse
Not many people know that economic abuse exists, but it happens more often than we think. Abusers who use finances to gain power will do things like control all spending from the victim, all property and material decisions and all career decisions for the victim based on pay.
7. Self-neglect
One thing that many people don't understand is that abuse can be self-inflicted. People who neglect self-care and personal wellness will sometimes avoid eating, maintaining hygiene, sleeping and caring for their mental stability. This can cause problems such as isolation, depression, chronic illness, nutrition deficiency and other harmful conditions.
If enough people become aware of these forms of abuse and what effects they can have on victims, more people will recognize when it's happening and make an effort to stop it. If you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced abuse, do anything you can for them and always remember to be supportive.
