Domestic Violence: Different Forms Of Physical Abuse

Domestic violence can come in many different forms, from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and/or financial abuse. The group of researchers from the Bureau of Justice Statisticians writes “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner” (Catalano et al.). Physical abuse is the most visual type of abuse. A group of doctors from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress claims “Physical abuse is the use of physical force against another person in a way that ends up injuring the person, or puts the person at risk of being injured” (Benedictis et al.). Sexual abuse is the least discussed form …show more content…
The group of researchers from the Bureau of Justice Statisticians writes “We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner” (Catalano et al.). Physical abuse is the most visual type of abuse. A group of doctors from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress claims “Physical abuse is the use of physical force against another person in a way that ends up injuring the person, or puts the person at risk of being injured” (Benedictis et al.). Sexual abuse is the least discussed form of domestic violence and is when the victim is forced or coerced sexual contact without consent. According to Women’s Health, they report “Sometimes, sexual violence is committed by a stranger. Most often, though, it is committed by someone you know, including a date or an intimate partner like a husband, ex-husband, or boyfriend” (Violence Against Women). Emotional abuse also known as psychological abuse usually occurs in all forms of all abusive relationships. Steven Stosny with Psychology Today believes “Emotional abuse seems more personal than physical abuse, more about you as a person, more about your spirit. It makes love hurt.” Financial abuse is the least commonly known but is the most powerful type of domestic violence against women. Ginger Dean from Huffington Post writes “Very rarely do the women in these relationships speak of the issue because of the shame attached to having to account for every penny spent or even ask for money just to purchase the very basic necessities in life.” Abuse can be many forms and getting out of an abusive relationship can even be