Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, or Rape

Topic Overview

Violence can happen to anyone. You are not to blame. No matter what you did, violence against you is never okay. Violent people usually have many problems that they find hard to deal with, and this can cause them to act out with violence.

Violent behavior can include rape, attempted rape, any forced sexual contact, and physical abuse. The act of violence may come from a stranger, acquaintance, or from a close friend or family member. Many victims of violence know their attacker.

Violent behavior can also hurt you emotionally. You may feel sad or frightened. Feelings of guilt may prevent you from getting help. But it is important for you to seek help and continue to get help for yourself as long as you need it. Talk to your local child or adult protective agency, the police, or a health professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or counselor. You can also call a local rape crisis center or a local mental health clinic. Any of these people can help you deal with your feelings, get medical treatment if needed, and take steps to stop the abuser.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence is different from an occasional argument—it is a pattern of abusive behavior that one person uses to control another person. Anger and arguments are normal parts of healthy relationships. However, anger that leads to threats or violence, such as hitting or hurting, is not normal or healthy. Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse is not an acceptable part of any relationship.

Domestic violence is very damaging, both physically and emotionally. The violent behavior often begins with verbal threats or relatively minor incidents, but over time it can involve physical harm. You are more likely to have a long-term health problem from the injuries and stress of living in a violent relationship.

Both men and women experience domestic violence (intimate partner violence). It is a common form of violent behavior and is a major problem in the United States. Each year an estimated 1.5 million women are physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner. Approximately 25% of women in the United States will experience partner violence at some time during their lives.

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) for free, confidential counseling.

Children and violence

Child abuse and neglect (also called child maltreatment) includes any act that harms a child.

Children who are maltreated may suffer in many ways. Young children are at special risk. They may not grow properly, or they may have learning problems. They may feel bad about themselves and not trust other people. They may be scared or angry. Abuse that continues over a long time may cause more severe physical and emotional problems.

Children are not able to understand that abuse or neglect is not their fault. They may think that they did something wrong and deserve what happened. It is up to adults who care to protect them. If you know about or suspect child abuse or neglect, there are ways you can help.

• If you are a child or teen who is being abused, don't keep the secret. Tell someone who can make a difference—a trusted family member, teacher, counselor, or doctor. You do not deserve to be abused.
• If you think a child is being abused or neglected, call the police or local child protective services. If a child is in immediate danger or has been badly injured, call 911 or other emergency services.
  • Physical abuse includes hitting, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning. It may leave bruises, cuts, or other marks and cause pain, broken bones, or internal injuries. It is often the easiest type of abuse to notice.
  • Emotional abuse is saying or doing things that make a child feel unloved, unwanted, unsafe, or worthless. It can range from yelling and threatening to ignoring the child and not giving love and support. It may not leave scars you can see, but the damage to a child is just as real.
  • Sexual abuse is any sexual contact between an adult and a child or between an older child and a younger child. Showing pornography to a child is a type of sexual abuse.
  • Neglect means that a child is not getting the shelter, schooling, clothing, medical care, or protection he or she needs. Child neglect is just as serious as child abuse and is even more common.

Violence causes more injury and death in children, teenagers, and young adults than infectious disease, cancer, or birth defects. Murder, suicide, and violent injury are the leading causes of death in children.

Elder abuse

Elder abuse refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of an older person by a caregiver, family member, spouse, or friend. It can include:

• Hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. The inappropriate use of medicines or physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment of any kind also are examples of physical abuse.
• Forced sexual contact or sexual contact with a person who is not capable of giving consent. This includes unwanted touching and all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, forced nudity, and sexually explicit photography.
• Emotional abuse, such as name-calling, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment.
• Neglect, such as failing to provide an older person with food, clothing, personal shelter, or other essentials, such as medical care or medicines or needed medical devices, such as dentures, a walker, or a commode.
• Abandonment or desertion of an older person by the person who is physically or legally responsible for providing care.
• Illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets. This includes forging an older person's signature, stealing money or possessions, or tricking an older person into signing documents that transfer funds, property, or assets.

If you are an older adult who is being abused, don't keep the secret. Tell someone who can make a difference—a trusted family member, teacher, counselor, doctor, or the police or the local adult protective services. You do not deserve to be abused.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated February 23, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.