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Identify the Violence & Abuse

The term ‘abuse’ refers to various ways a vulnerable adult might be harmed. There are many forms of abuse, and in order to save the someone from the abuse, it is crucial to know how the victim is being abused.

It is estimated that family members, most typically the victim’s adult child or spouse, are the abusers. Also, the adult victim is often financially dependent on the abuser and has problems with alcohol or drugs.

Different forms of abuse

There are many forms of abuse, but some of the most common are:

Physical Abuse

Intentional bodily injury is defined as physical abuse. Slapping, punching, choking, pinching, kicking, and shoving are just a few instances of it.

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual contact is referred to as “sexual abuse” (any unwanted sexual contact). Examples include unwanted touching, rape, sodomy, forced nudity, and sexual graphic photography.

Emotional Abuse

Mental or emotional abuse is the intentional infliction of mental or emotional suffering. Intimidation, ridicule, harassment, treating an adult like a child, isolating an adult from family, friends, or everyday activities, using silence to control behaviour, and yelling or swearing that makes someone feel uncomfortable are all examples of mental or emotional abuse.

Are you being abused? Know the signs

Abuse of any kind has an impact on the victim’s entire life. When someone is abused, it can have long-term and sometimes irreversible effects on their mental and physical health, their relationships with friends, family, and children, their careers, and their financial well-being.

• Does your partner have an unhealthy level of jealousy and possessiveness?

• Do they come across as charming one minute and abusive the next?

• Are they prone to sudden mood swings?

• Do they make it difficult for you to see your family and friends?

• Do they make you feel alone?

• Do they regularly criticise you and tear you down in front of others?

• Do they embarrass you in front of your family and friends, causing you to be viewed negatively?

• Do they play mind games with you and make you doubt your judgment?

• Do they tell you that you’re useless and that you wouldn’t be able to function without them?

• Are they in charge of your finances?

• Do they dictate what you should wear, who you should see, where you should go, and what you should think?

• Do they make you have sex even if you don’t want to?

• Are you starting to tread carefully so as not to irritate them?

• Do they keep an eye on you? Or peek at your email, Facebook, Twitter, or text messages to see how you’re doing?

• Do they fear you and force you to agree with their demands with wrath and intimidation?

• Do they ever threaten or intimidate you, using aggressive language or destroying your possessions?

• Do you feel compelled to change your behaviour because you fear their reaction?

• Are you held responsible for their actions?

If you said “Yes” to any of the questions above, you might be a victim of abuse, and abuse of any kind is a CRIME.

You don’t have to go through this on your own, our team of specialists can help you.