Family Violence

Prevent Child Abuse America

Family Violence Prevention Fund

National Center on Elder Abuse

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings

'Do you know when and how to intervene?'

'Oral and Dental Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect'

Friday Edition: Dentists Spot Domestic Violence

Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness (P.A.N.D.A.) of Arkansas

Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness (P.A.N.D.A.) of Missouri

Enhancing Dental Professionals' Response to Domestic Violence (6 page folio)

Violence Against People: Domestic Violence Resource Library

NOTE: Many of the links are for state, local, or tribal resources that may be specific to a particular location.

Abuse can take many forms and can affect many different people, no matter their race, sex or socioeconomic status. Sadly, millions of people are repeatedly abused each year, and often, the victims remain hidden and live with the abuse in secret. Education and empowerment are essential to helping prevent domestic and other forms of abuse from occurring. There are many different types of abuse, including physical, non-physical emotional, verbal, and financial/economic abuse. Domestic violence is all too common and can sometimes end in tragedy. Giving victims of domestic abuse the courage to leave an abusive relationship is the first step towards healing. Abuse can have serious long-term effects, and domestic violence victims may experience symptoms similar to post traumatic stress disorder. The following addresses several different types of domestic abuse and provides resources for further education.

Physical

Physical abuse involves intimidation and actual physical harm towards someone else. Often times, the abuser has displaced anger and takes their anger out on their victim. This form of abuse can involve any kind of physical confrontation including but not limited to: hitting, slapping, punching, choking, or kicking. Physical abuse may start with a small shove, but and escalate very quickly; it is a definite threat to the victim's safety. Abusers will often use the threat of physical abuse in order to get what they want, causing the victim to feel intimidated and to live in fear.

Signs of Abuse – A look at the different causes, effects, and signs of domestic abuse.

Elderly Physical Abuse – Physical abuse does not just affect women; it can also be a problem with the elderly.

Child Physical Abuse – Signs to be aware of for physical abuse in children.

Patterns of Physical Abuse – Here are some common signs and patterns found in people who commit physical abuse.

Domestic Violence Against Women – Important information about domestic violence towards women.

Department of Justice – Read more about the different types of abuse as defined by the DOJ.

What is Domestic Violence? – Read about the legal definition as well as signs of domestic violence.

Domestic Violence Facts – Informative statistics and facts related to domestic violence and the effects it has on the community.

Sexual

Sexual abuse can involve victims of all ages, including children. Sexual violence is a serious offense and should never be tolerated. The abuser may use sex as a means of controlling the victim and instilling fear or retribution should the victim speak up or get help. Women who decline a sexual advance, including those made by a partner or husband, but are forced to have sex regardless are also victims of sexual abuse. This type of abuse can leave emotional and physical scars that can last for years and may make it difficult for the victim to have healthy and intimate relationships in the future. Forcing someone into unwanted sexual acts is considered both abuse and rape.

Child Sexual Abuse – Important information everyone should know about child sexual abuse.

What is Sexual Abuse? – Read more about the definition of sexual abuse.

What You Can Do – Use these resources to help you learn more about ways you can help.

Sexual Violence Prevention – Information about the prevention of sexual abuse and sexual violence.

Sexual Assault Hotline – If you are a victim of sexual assault or abuse, there is help available.

Child Sexual Abuse – More information about children and child sexual abuse.

Protecting Children – Helpful information about how we can better protect children from sexual abuse.

Emotional

Emotional abuse can be just as hurtful as any other form of domestic abuse; although it may not leave physical scarring, the effects are severe and long lasting. This type of abuse may also be referred to as mental abuse. The abuser often embarrasses the victim in front of others by using insults or hurtful words to show control and dominance. The abuser may also manipulate the victim into doing things based on the things that they say; even if it is not something the victim wants to do. This kind of abuse is often compared to blackmail, because the abuser uses words and threats to get the victim to concede to their wishes. Emotional abusers may also tell the victim what they are or are not allowed to do. Victims of emotional abuse are often controlled by fear, self-loathing, and a poor sense of self-worth.

Definition of Emotional Abuse– Emotional abuse can cover a wide range of behaviors, learn more about emotional abuse and it is with this resource      

Identifying Emotional Abuse – Use these resources to help you find more on how to identify emotional abuse.

Emotional Abuse – Young and teenage girls often fall victim to emotional abuse.

Emotional Abuse Indicators – This bulleted list features some common indicators of emotional abuse. Any combination of these
indicators may indicate emotional abuse.

Behavioral Characteristics – More behavioral feature of both the victim and the abuser performing emotional abuse.

Elder Emotional Abuse – The elderly often fall victim to emotional abuse from caretakers. Find out more about this problem here.

Symptoms of Emotional Abuse – Here are some common symptoms of people who are suffering from various forms of abuse.

Types of Emotional Abuse – There are more than one forms of emotional abuse. Learn more here.

Verbal

Verbal abuse may sound the same as emotional abuse, and in many cases the two go hand in hand. In a verbal abuse situation, the victim is often called names, insulted, and threatened. The goal of a verbal abuser is to make their victim feel inferior or intimidated through harmful words and profanity. They degrade their victim and feed their poor self-image. Verbal abuse creates a sense of worthlessness in the victim, often leading to severe depression. The abuser will often put on a friendly face in public, but then come home and abuse the victim verbally.

Verbal Abuse Characteristics – This list of common characteristics of verbal abuse can give you a better idea of what this type of abuse
 looks like.

How it Can Hurt – Learn how verbal abuse can be just as hard to cope with as other forms of abuse.

When Words are Weapons – More information about verbal abuse and how it affects people.

Recognizing & Responding – How to both recognize & respond to those dealing with verbal abuse.

Sibling Verbal Abuse – Verbal abuse can also happen between siblings.

Verbal Abuse Video – This video shows some examples of verbal abuse and how they can hurt others. Warning: This video contains
offensive language.

Abuse in Intimate Relationships – An in-depth web page discussing how abuse can happen in intimate relationships.

Warning Signs of Domestic Abuse – This resource provides some of the tell-tale signs of verbal abuse, as well as other resources
related to domestic violence.

Economic

Economic abuse involves asserting control over the victim’s finances and monetary resources. The abuser often takes money from the victim and tells them the victim that they owe them for one thing or another, they may stress that the victim is responsible to provide for the abuser; but always accuse the victim of falling short of their responsibilities. Abusers may also assert control over the victim’s personal finances in order to control their activities and abilities to see friends or family. This kind of abuse can go as extreme as preventing the victim from getting a job or even furthering their education. In the abuser's mind, the victim's lack of financial freedom helps prevent their freedom to leave and increases their dependence on the abuser.

What is Economic Abuse? – A few examples of economic abuse and what the abuser can do to the victim.

Common Behaviors – This page features a list of common behaviors when it comes to economic abuse.

Different types of Economic Abuse – Certain people view economic abuse in different ways. Find out how here.

Teens & Economic Abuse – This type of abuse can even happen to teenagers.

Economic Stress & Violence – Different financial factors can have an effect on abuse in relationships.

Types of Abuse and Violence – This chart covers various forms of abuse including economic.

Cycle of Violence – Most abuse happens in a vicious cycle. Learn about the different types and their cycles here.

Domestic Violence – This resource discusses all forms of domestic violence, as well as economic abuse.