Relationships Violence and Abuse What Is Domestic Abuse? By Sanjana Gupta Sanjana Gupta Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Learn about our editorial process Published on June 23, 2022 Print Boy_Anupong / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Domestic Abuse? Types Signs Causes Impact Supporting Someone What Is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence or family abuse, is a pattern of behavior that is used to hurt, terrorize, manipulate, or gain control over a family member. Domestic abuse may be perpetrated by any member of the household, such as an intimate partner, parent, child, sibling, relative, or staff member. When domestic abuse is perpetrated by an intimate partner, it is referred to as intimate partner violence. When a child is a victim of domestic abuse, it is referred to as child abuse. People from marginalized groups are at greater risk of experiencing abuse. However, it’s important to recognize that anyone can be a victim of abuse, regardless of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, class, or faith. Domestic abuse and intimate partner violence are serious public health issues globally. In fact, it is believed that domestic abuse is the most prevalent but least reported crime in the United States. This article explores the types, causes, signs, and impact of domestic abuse, as well as some ways to support someone who has been abused. If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance from trained advocates. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Types of Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse can take many forms. These are some of the different types of domestic abuse: Physical abuse, which is when someone harms the other person’s body, causing them to experience pain or suffer physical injuries. Physical abuse includes slapping, beating, hitting, kicking, punching, pinching, biting, choking, pushing, grabbing, shaking, or burning another person. Sexual abuse, which includes any form of touching or sexual contact without the other person’s explicit consent. Sexual abuse also includes any form of sexual contact between an adult and a person below the age of 18. Emotional abuse, which includes yelling, cursing, name-calling, bullying, coercing, humiliating, gaslighting, harassing, infantilizing, threatening, frightening, isolating, manipulating, or otherwise controlling another person. Emotional abuse can be just as harmful as sexual or physical abuse. Neglect, which involves failing to provide a child or a dependent adult with necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision. Neglect can also be emotional, which involves failing to provide love, care, and emotional support to a family member. Online abuse, which includes bullying, threatening, sexually harassing, or emotionally abusing someone online. How to Recognize Digital Dating Abuse in Your Relationship Signs of Domestic Abuse It’s important to recognize domestic abuse because the victims are our friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors. These are some of the signs that someone is experiencing domestic abuse: Being upset or agitatedBeing withdrawn or unresponsiveExhibiting signs of fear or nervousness around certain peopleDisplaying sudden changes in behavior or unusual behaviorsHaving injuries such as cuts, bruises, black eyes, or broken bonesHaving bruises, bleeding, torn clothes, or bloodstains around genital areasBeing dehydrated, malnourished, or unkemptLiving in unsafe or unsanitary conditions Understanding Factors and Behaviors That Predict Domestic Violence Causes of Domestic Abuse According to a 2018 study, these are some of the factors that contribute to the prevalence of domestic violence: Cultural factors: Historically, many patriarchal cultures have permitted the beating and chastising of women and children, who are viewed as a man’s property. Additionally, the concept of a woman’s sexuality is often tied to the family’s honor. Therefore, any actions or behaviors by a woman that are perceived as acts of dishonor toward the family are met with judgment and abuse. Legal factors: Law enforcement agencies tend to treat domestic abuse as a private family matter and sometimes hesitate to intervene or get involved. Acts of domestic abuse are often treated with more leniency than crimes committed by strangers. In fact, sexual abuse by intimate partners is not even recognized as a crime in many cultures. Economic factors: Lack of economic resources is often associated with domestic abuse. Environmental factors: People who have grown up in abusive environments and witnessed or experienced abuse as children may be more likely to perpetrate domestic abuse as adults. This is referred to as the intergenerational cycle of abuse. Social factors: Society still tends to blame victims for being abused, which can make it difficult for them to come forward and report their abusers. Victims are often scrutinized minutely, and any imperfections are held against them. Substance use: Excessive use of substances such as alcohol and drugs can lead to domestic abuse. The Different Reasons Why People Victim-Blame Impact of Domestic Abuse Being abused can cause a person to: Think they did something to deserve the abuse Believe they are unwanted and unworthy of love or respect Feel guilty or ashamed Feel helpless and powerless Feel used, controlled, or manipulated Be terrified of doing something that will upset their abuser Behave differently in order to avoid upsetting their abuser Have difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or participating in activities they once enjoyed Develop mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety Develop physical health conditions such as heart disease, digestive issues, muscle and bone conditions, fertility problems, and nervous system disorders Experiencing domestic abuse can cause physical and mental health issues that persist long after the abuse stops. Supporting Someone Who Has Been Abused These are some ways to support someone who has been abused: Listen to the person and believe themOffer assistance and let them know they’re not aloneHelp them note down all the details they can rememberRemind them that they’re not to blame for anything that has happened to themEncourage them to seek professional support, either through a confidential hotline or via other medical or mental healthcare providersEncourage them to speak up about the abuse and report their abuser to the authorities, because keeping it secret only protects their abuser The Best Domestic Violence Support Groups A Word From Verywell Domestic abuse can take many different shapes and forms. It can be extremely traumatic to experience, leaving behind physical wounds, emotional scars, and health issues. It can affect every aspect of the person’s life and make it difficult for them to function. Recovery takes time, but speaking up about the abuse, leaving an abusive situation, and seeking treatment are important steps that can help. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 11 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. United Nations. What is domestic abuse? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing intimate partner violence. Li S, Zhao F, Yu G. Childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization: A meta-analysis. 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