Who Can Be A Victim Of Abuse And How To Prevent It

Anyone can be a victim of abuse, regardless of their age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. Each year, intimate partner violence (IPV) is responsible for around 1,300 deaths and two million injuries in the United States alone. Abuse can manifest in various ways, from physical violence to emotional abuse, economic abuse, and more. Each form of abuse can have a lasting impact on mental health. By raising awareness of the signs of abuse and ways to prevent it, it can be possible to come together and build safer communities for all.

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Understanding different types of abuse 

Abuse generally refers to cruel or violent treatment, especially when done repeatedly. Abuse can take many forms, with multiple types often occurring simultaneously. For example, emotional abuse is closely linked to verbal abuse, since perpetrators frequently use harmful language to get an emotional reaction out of their targets, intentionally manipulating, hurting, or upsetting them with their words. Other common forms of abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, and psychological abuse. Each form of abuse can have long-term implications for the survivor’s health and well-being.

The long-term impact of emotional abuse

Emotional abuse, which may include constant criticism, verbal abuse, and comments intended to attack a person’s self-esteem, can have long-term implications. Research suggests that emotionally abused children tend to be more susceptible to psychosis, substance use, harassment, pregnancy miscarriage, asthma, cognitive delays, and educational failure later in life. While emotional abuse may not leave visible scars, it can have severe long-term implications.

The signs of physical abuse

Physical abuse may include hitting, slapping, choking, otherwise using physical force, or threatening physical harm to intimidate or control another person. Signs to look out for can include bruises, unexplained injuries, and frequent absences from school or work. However, sometimes due to fear or shame, survivors may actively hide marks of physical abuse. In these cases, out-of-place clothing, such as long sleeves in warm weather, may be a sign of physical abuse.

Why domestic violence and IPV are public health concerns

Who is at risk of domestic violence?

Women tend to be at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence, especially by an intimate partner or a family member. Recent research suggests that approximately one in three women and one in four men are targets of intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Risk factors for IPV can include social isolation, financial stress, previous exposure to abuse, and substance use in the household.

The mental health impacts of abuse

Survivors of abuse aren’t always left with physical scars, but their mental and emotional health are often impacted. Long-term mental health challenges, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and difficulty forming social connections can result from abusive experiences.

How different types of abuse impact mental health

The consequences of abuse differ for each individual. While one survivor of physical abuse may develop depression, another may develop substance use disorder or have trouble sleeping at night. While there isn’t a concrete pattern, below are some mental health concerns associated with each form of abuse:

• Physical abuse may lead to a range of mental health disorders, including substance misuse, as individuals may use substances to cope with their experiences. 
• Emotional abuse, especially as a child, can contribute to neuroticism later in life. Neuroticism refers to a tendency to frequently experience anxiety, sadness, and irritability. 
• Sexual abuse may lead to fear, shame, and flashbacks, often having a lasting impact on intimacy with future partners.
• Economic or financial abuse may contribute to a sense of helplessness, low self-esteem, and dependency on others.

Increasing awareness and education for abuse prevention

Abuse prevention often begins in educational settings. When individuals understand what constitutes abusive behavior and how to safely intervene, they can better support the community around them.

Fostering non-violence in schools

Schools, in particular, can play an important role in raising awareness of abuse and fostering non-violent behavior. School protocols like encouraging teachers to actively challenge gender stereotypes may promote respect, equality, and inclusion from a young age. In addition, teaching students about verbal abuse, consent, and boundaries may enable them to build healthier relationships.  

Building safer communities to prevent violence

Well-informed and connected communities may be able to discourage abusive behavior, as well as cultivate environments where survivors know they are safe to come forward. Actively challenging the stigma around seeking mental health support can be crucial. 

Strategies to build safer communities

Below are a few strategies that may contribute to safer communities.

• Developing safe, stable, and nurturing environments: While parents, caregivers, and teachers can’t manage every aspect of a child's life, they can create warm, supportive environments where children may develop into compassionate, well-rounded individuals. 
• Holding community workshops on abuse: Education programs at local schools, churches, or community centers can teach community members to identify signs of abuse and intervene safely, as well as offer survivors compassionate support. 
• Train first responders and educators in trauma-informed care: Teachers, social workers, and medical professionals are often the first people to witness abuse in school, home, and social settings. When trained appropriately, these first responders can intervene with empathy, avoid re-traumatization, and offer valuable support.

Healing from physical abuse and emotional abuse online

Talking about experiences of abuse can be challenging, and some people may be hesitant to speak to a therapist face-to-face. Online therapy can give them the flexibility to attend sessions from the location of their choice, as well as to choose between video, audio, and online chat sessions. This may be more comfortable for those who wish to seek help but are nervous about opening up to a stranger.

Does online therapy work?

When attending an online therapy session, individuals may want to consider their home environment. If the home environment isn’t safe, clients might speak to their therapists from their workplace, a local park, a family member’s house, or their car, among other safe locations. Ensuring sessions take place in a safe environment can empower clients to be open, honest, and engaged. Although updated evidence may be needed, existing research suggests that internet-based therapy can be an effective treatment for cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse, reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.