Experiencing abuse

This is what many people think of when they hear the word ‘abuse.’ It includes punching, hitting, slapping, kicking, strangling, or physically restraining someone against their will. It can also include putting someone at risk of harm by driving recklessly.

Words and manipulation can be just as painful and damaging as physical abuse. Verbal abuse involves name-calling, threats, criticisms, gaslighting and other emotional ways to control someone, make them feel weak, small and unable to stand up for themselves.

Sexual violence is a broad term that includes sexual assault, rape and sexual abuse. It affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year and is most often perpetuated by someone the victim knows or is in a relationship with.

Financial abuse can involve concealing information, limiting the victim’s access to assets or reducing access to family finances. Like other types of abuse, it’s meants to intimidate, threaten or manipulate someone to keep them trapped in a relationship.

Digital dating abuse is the use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate someone. Basically, it’s emotional or verbal abuse perpetrated online.

Stalking involves willfully and repeatedly following or harassing someone in a way that makes them fear injury or death. Generally, it includes direct or implied threats. Similar to crimes of sexual violence, stalking is about power and control.