Often considered a more specific type of emotional abuse, psychological abuse doesn't just target emotions, it also focuses on distorting one's sense of reality. Victims constantly question themselves and their environment, believing that they are "crazy" and incompetent. The most common form is gaslighting.

Boston University

- Physical 
- Emotional
- Sexual
- Psychological/Mental
- Financial/Economic
- Cultural/Identity

Types of Abuse

Behavioural consequences of child abuse. (2013). Canadian Family Physician, 59, 831–836.

Behavioural consequences of child abuse

The use of physical force against someone with the intent of harm. Common examples include: hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, scalding, burning, poisoning, and suffocating.

Physical Abuse

A pattern of behavior in which one insults, shames, and humiliates another individual in order to undermine their self worth and independence and often instill fear as a means of control. Common forms include derogatory words, hurtful names, monitoring and controlling a person's behavior, gaslighting, and constant criticism.

Verbal/Emotional Abuse

Any unwanted sexual activity where the perpetrator uses force, makes threats, and/or takes advantage of a victim without proper consent.

Sexual Abuse

Psychological/Mental Abuse

Common tactic used by abusers to gain power in control over another person. Abusers will often limit a victim's access to their bank accounts and assets, restrict the victim from spending money, or open up credit cards and run up debts in the victim's name.

Financial/Economic Abuse

Abusers use aspects of a victim's identity as a means of control or to inflict suffering. Examples include not allowing someone to follow the dress or dietary customs of their religion or isolating someone who doesn't speak the dominant language where they live.

Learn Before

Related