Abusive Relationships
There are many different types of abusive relationships. The abuser can be a man or a woman, and even in some frightening instances, children. The types of abuse also varies, ranging from physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. Because there are so many different forms of abusive relationships, it is important that you know and understand the different types so that you can better protect yourself against becoming a victim.
The most well known form of abuse is physical abuse. When someone speaks of abuse, this is the type that they typically mean. In its most simple form, physical abuse uses violence to intimidate or dominate another person, causing them physical injury and harm. Domestic violence is physical abuse taken to extremes. There are thousands of deaths related to physical abuse around the world each year.
Sexual abuse, sexual assault, or rape, is another form of frightening physical abuse. Women are usually the victims of this abuse. It is estimated that one in four women are raped or assaulted in their lifetime.
Verbal and emotional abuse are typically grouped together. Verbal abuse tends to focus on all abuse that is spoken. Shouting, criticism, and other degrading speech are forms of verbal abuse. Verbal abuse is a form of emotional abuse, and is typically found in all abusive relationships. Verbal abuse is typically the first type of repeated abuse encountered by the abused.
Emotional abuse is the hardest to classify, as all forms of abuse do emotional harm. However, emotional abuse tends to cover all types of abuses that do not fit into the categories of physical, sexual or verbal.
Abuse has many consequences, ranging from severe depression, lowered self esteem, destroyed confidence, shame and suicide. Many people who are abused are afraid to ask for help, as they fear what people will think of them. If you suspect someone is being abused, you should try to find out more about the situation and see if the person being abused wants your help.
If you are the one being abused, you need to act. There is no shame in having been abused, and you can change your situation. If you are being assaulted, contact the police. If you are not willing to go to the police, go to friends and loved ones for help and support.
If you do not know what to do, there are hot lines you can call, support groups, and reading material that can assist with this difficult problem.