Different Types of Abuse

TRIGGER WARNING: abuse, violence, sex

Abuse is a really sensitive topic, so if it is triggering, please skip this post. I wanted to make this post because a lot of people hear the word "abuse" and think physical or sexual. While those are the two most common forms of abuse, there are other forms of abuse as well and I wanted to share them. Some people may not even realize they are being abused. Regardless of the type of abuse, it can still be traumatizing. Here are six forms of abuse.

1. Physical

   This is probably the most common form of abuse and I am sure you already know what it is. This can look like hitting, punching, pushing, or choking. This could also be forcing someone to leave or stay somewhere depending on the situation. There are other forms of physical abuse, but these are the most common.

2. Sexual

   A lot of people may think sexual abuse is just forcing sex on someone, but it can be a lot more than that. It could simply be unwanted touching in a sexual way. It can be pressuring someone until they say yes and feel like they have no choice. It can even just be not letting someone use a condom when they want to. It is more common that realized and often not reported. one in three women and 1 in six men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

3. Emotional/Psychological

   This is becoming more common to talk about, but still not spoken about as much as physical and sexual. This can be name calling, yelling, threatening, and gaslighting you. It can also be controlling or isolating you from others. Emotional abuse often goes along with physical abuse, but people don't realize it because they are so focused on the physical aspect.

4. Digital

   This can almost look like stalking through technology. It can be sending threatening messages, texting constantly for immediate responses, and monitoring you through technology. It can also be stealing someone's password or changing it to go through their personal life without permission.

5. Financial

   This can be withholding money or preventing you from buying certain things. It can also be stealing your money for them to spend it on themselves. It could be harassing you at work or preventing you from working. I think this is a form of abuse people miss a lot because it is not as obvious or talked about regularly. It is an important one though.

6. Spiritual

   This is what it sounds like. It can be insulting your religion or spirituality. It can be preventing you from doing certain things that help with your religion. It can also be preventing you from spending time with your religious or spiritual community. It can also be trying to force your religion on someone else.

   
   

   These are six common forms of abuse. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent abuse, but there are ways to work through the trauma. There are different forms of therapy or work books to help you through abuse. It is important to encourage people who have suffered from abuse to speak up. Let them know they are not alone and deserve to be loved. This was a hard post to make because I have been through several forms of abuse, but I have learned to cope with it (mostly). I have been in therapy and have a small support system to help me through it. Even if it isn't family or friends, there is a way to find something out there to help. A lot of people will not speak up about their abuse and you never know what someone has gone through. Please be kind to everyone no matter how hard it may be. Thank you for reading.