Contextualizing Abuse
Rivkah Rogawski
Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Features
Major types of abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse and financial abuse. These kinds of abuse may occur within the context of domestic, elder, or child abuse, but can also occur between any two individuals who share a relationship. The hallmark of abuse is misuse of control. The abuser attempts to exercise a frightening level of control over his or her victim and uses that control to harm the victim. The abuser may even fantasize about future opportunities in which he or she can harm the victim. Abuse crosses societal barriers and occurs in every socioeconomic, racial and religious sector.
Physical abuse is any form of contact between an abuser and his or her victim that is intended to harm, hurt, or intimidate the victim. Forms of physical abuse range from hitting, biting and pushing to cruel elemental exposure or starvation. Physical abuse can be a component of domestic abuse, bullying, or child abuse and can lead to long-term physical and emotional damages.
Verbal abuse is the linguistic parallel of physical abuse and can similarly occur in a range of relationships. A verbal abuser uses language to reject or cause emotional pain to another person. In some situations, criticizing another's clothing or food choices can be a form of verbal abuse. Verbal abuse can cause psychological trauma, low self-esteem, depression and a host of negative behaviors in the abused individual.
Sexual abuse occurs when one individual forces any range of sexual behaviors on another person. Sexual abusers use physical or psychological means to coerce their victims, often misusing a position of authority to frighten them. The line between sexual abuse and actual rape is very fine, and the two sometimes overlap. Based on the relationship between abuser and victim, sexual abuse can be further classified into domestic abuse, occupational sexual abuse, incestuous sexual abuse, or child abuse.
Child victims of sexual abuse are often secretive and scared to tell adults about their abuse episode. In fact, most sexually abused children never tell adults about their abuse, accepting the abuse as reality instead. Often, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge and behavior is an indication of sexual abuse for teachers and parents. Another marker of sexual abuse is depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Children who have been sexually abused are also more likely to become abusers as adults, especially if they have never dealt with the trauma of the experience. It is therefore crucial for caregivers and teachers to be aware of unusual behavior in children. It is also important to realize that abuse is not limited to physical interaction, but that inappropriate behavior on the part of an adult can also be distressing to children.
Physical abuse is any form of contact between an abuser and his or her victim that is intended to harm, hurt, or intimidate the victim. Forms of physical abuse range from hitting, biting and pushing to cruel elemental exposure or starvation. Physical abuse can be a component of domestic abuse, bullying, or child abuse and can lead to long-term physical and emotional damages.
Verbal abuse is the linguistic parallel of physical abuse and can similarly occur in a range of relationships. A verbal abuser uses language to reject or cause emotional pain to another person. In some situations, criticizing another's clothing or food choices can be a form of verbal abuse. Verbal abuse can cause psychological trauma, low self-esteem, depression and a host of negative behaviors in the abused individual.
Sexual abuse occurs when one individual forces any range of sexual behaviors on another person. Sexual abusers use physical or psychological means to coerce their victims, often misusing a position of authority to frighten them. The line between sexual abuse and actual rape is very fine, and the two sometimes overlap. Based on the relationship between abuser and victim, sexual abuse can be further classified into domestic abuse, occupational sexual abuse, incestuous sexual abuse, or child abuse.
Child victims of sexual abuse are often secretive and scared to tell adults about their abuse episode. In fact, most sexually abused children never tell adults about their abuse, accepting the abuse as reality instead. Often, age-inappropriate sexual knowledge and behavior is an indication of sexual abuse for teachers and parents. Another marker of sexual abuse is depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Children who have been sexually abused are also more likely to become abusers as adults, especially if they have never dealt with the trauma of the experience. It is therefore crucial for caregivers and teachers to be aware of unusual behavior in children. It is also important to realize that abuse is not limited to physical interaction, but that inappropriate behavior on the part of an adult can also be distressing to children.
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