What is Abuse?

Abuse is when a person inflicts cruelty or violence on another person. Abuse is also characterised by invasive behaviours or when a person treats another person in a humiliating, harassing or demeaning manner.

Anyone from any walk of life can experience abuse, including children, adults and elderly persons.

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, digital and financial.

Physical abuse can include:

• Shaking
• Hitting
• Throwing items
• Hair-pulling
• Slapping
• Kicking
• Restraining
• Using a weapon, like a knife or a gun

Emotional abuse can include: 

• Humiliation
• Harassment
• Rejection
• Isolation from other people in your life
• Control of where you go and what you do
• Withholding affection

Sexual abuse can include:

• Rape
• Forcing someone to watch pornography or taking pictures of them in sexual poses
• Forcing someone to dress in a suggestive manner
• Threatening to withhold something if someone does not have sex with you

Financial abuse:

• When a partner or caregiver controls your money
• Steals from you
• Refuses to contribute to household expenses

Digital abuse can include:

• Cyberbullying
• Demanding to know passwords
• Sexting (non-consensual)
• Controlling social media use

What are the effects of abuse?

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Low self-esteem
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Physical scars
• Death
• Suicide

To speak to a qualified counsellor in Stirling please contact me on 07762 459479 or complete the form below.

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-abuse-5212239