Types of Abuse Within a Relationship
Unfortunately, relationships sometimes become abusive. Both men and women sometimes abuse their partners in relationships. Both men and women sometimes suffer abuse. Abuse occurs in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, in marriages and in dating relationships, across all ethnic, religious and socioeconomic groups. Often, abusive relationships involve more than one type of abuse, according to an article entitled “Abuse in Intimate Relationships: Defining the Multiple Dimensions and Terms” on the Medical University of South Carolina website. Abusive relationships often escalate, with the abuse getting worse and worse over time.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse in relationships is behavior that causes, or is intended to cause, bodily harm. It includes hitting, pushing, punching, kicking, hair pulling, biting, scratching, pinching, strangling and spitting on someone. It also includes hitting someone with objects or throwing objects at someone. Physically restraining someone, holding her down or locking her in a room or closet is also considered physical abuse, according to the Medical University of South Carolina website.
Victims often report that emotional abuse hurts more and does more damage than physical abuse. It includes scaring or intimidating someone, making him feel bad about himself or damaging his self-esteem, and making him feel helpless. Emotional abusers may be exceptionally jealous or controlling. They often isolate their victims from friends and family. They may say things like, “No one else would ever want you.”
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is related to emotional abuse and includes yelling, name calling, making fun of someone, insults and threats. Abusers sometimes minimize verbal abuse, saying they were only joking and accusing their victims of having no sense of humor. This can leave victims feeling confused or crazy.
Sexual abuse in relationships includes any unwanted sexual contact, even if the people involved are married, dating or have had sex before. It includes non-consensual rough or violent sexual activity; even if someone agrees to have sex, that doesn’t mean she agrees to things like being scratched or bitten during sex. According to an article entitled “What Are the Different Types of Abuse?” on the Stockton College website, not allowing a partner to use contraception or protection from sexual transmitted infections is also a form of sexual abuse in relationships.
Other Types of Abuse
Other types of abuse in relationships include harming or threatening to harm pets, damaging personal property, and controlling all the money, which makes it difficult for the victim to leave. Some types of abuse are obvious, while others are more subtle.
Sources:
Domestic Violence Resource Center. http://dvrc-or.org/domestic/violence/resources/C61/. Domestic Violence Statistics.
Medical University of South Carolina. http://www.musc.edu/vawprevention/research/defining.shtml. Abuse in Intimate Relationships: Defining the Multiple Dimensions and Terms.
Stockton College. http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/wellness/content/docs/healthy_relationships/Types%20of%20Abusive%20Behavior.pdf. What Are the Different Types of Abuse?
