Types of Abuse

Common Types of Abuse

Physical and sexual abuse are the most common forms of domestic/family violence. However, there are other forms of abuse regularly used which can lead to power and control by an abuser. It can become a lifestyle that the abused person gets used to and they may not realise the effect it has on them and their children.

The following is a list of types of abuse:

• Physical
• Verbal
• Emotional / Psychological
• Sexual
• Financial
• Elder

If you are experiencing any type of abuse we urge you to go to the police or to seek help here at Relationship Services. While it can be difficult to speak about abuse, we can provide the ongoing support that you need to turn your life around.

13 Red Flags

If you are experiencing any of the flags below you may wish to seek help to prevent issues from escalating out of control.

1. The suspect is obsessed with, dependent on, or is stalking the victim
2. Recent separation, issue of a court order, or divorce and behaving in a dangerous manner
3. The victim believes the suspect could injure or kill them
4. There is a history of family violence, and it is getting more severe or frequent
5. The suspect has strangled or attempted to strangle the victim
6. Threats to commit suicide or to kill the victim, children or other family members
7. The suspect has access to weapons, particularly firearms and has used or threatened to use them
8. They may have convictions involving weapons
9. The offender has easy access to the victim, children or other family members
10. Children are in the home when the violence occurred, or have been hurt or threatened in family violence situations
11. Incidents of animal abuse
12. History of alcohol or drug problems/dependency
13. History of violent behaviour against non-family members

​Combined with physical and sexual abuse these other forms of abuse can have a person living with permanent fear and intimidation resulting in an unhappy life. Children living with parents with this type of relationship often have difficulty growing up with a healthy outlook on life. Sadly they can become abusers too.

Whether you like it or not your actions (or lack of action) is affecting not only your mental and emotional health and wellbeing but that of your children too.