Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSignsCausesImpactSupporting Someone

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Signs

Causes

Impact

Supporting Someone

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.

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 theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.If you are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

If you are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Types of Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse can take many forms. These are some of the different types of domestic abuse:

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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 thesignsthat someone is experiencing domestic abuse:

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Causes of Domestic Abuse

Research suggests that there are a number of different factors that contribute to the prevalence of domestic violence:

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Impact of Domestic Abuse

Being abused can cause a person to:

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 tosupportsomeone who has been abused:

Best Domestic Violence Support Groups

A Word From Verywell

Domestic abuse can take many different shapes and forms. It can be extremelytraumaticto 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.

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Nemours Foundation.Abuse.Women Against Abuse.Types of abuse.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Yakubovich AR, Stöckl H, Murray J, Melendez-Torres GJ, Steinert JI, Glavin CEY, Humphreys DK.Risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence against women: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective-longitudinal studies.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(7):e1-e11. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304428Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse.Malik M, Munir N, Ghani MU, Ahmad N.Domestic violence and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and quality of life.Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):191-194. doi:10.12669/pjms.37.1.2893Cleveland Clinic.How to heal from emotional abuse.

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Nemours Foundation.Abuse.Women Against Abuse.Types of abuse.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Yakubovich AR, Stöckl H, Murray J, Melendez-Torres GJ, Steinert JI, Glavin CEY, Humphreys DK.Risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence against women: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective-longitudinal studies.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(7):e1-e11. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304428Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse.Malik M, Munir N, Ghani MU, Ahmad N.Domestic violence and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and quality of life.Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):191-194. doi:10.12669/pjms.37.1.2893Cleveland Clinic.How to heal from emotional abuse.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto 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.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.Nemours Foundation.Abuse.Women Against Abuse.Types of abuse.Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.Yakubovich AR, Stöckl H, Murray J, Melendez-Torres GJ, Steinert JI, Glavin CEY, Humphreys DK.Risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence against women: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective-longitudinal studies.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(7):e1-e11. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304428Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse.Malik M, Munir N, Ghani MU, Ahmad N.Domestic violence and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and quality of life.Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):191-194. doi:10.12669/pjms.37.1.2893Cleveland Clinic.How to heal from emotional abuse.

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.Child Abuse Negl. 2019;88:212-224. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.11.012

City Government of Annapolis, Maryland.Myths about domestic violence.

Nemours Foundation.Abuse.

Women Against Abuse.Types of abuse.

Department of Human Services.Domestic violence crisis and prevention.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.Types and signs of abuse.

Yakubovich AR, Stöckl H, Murray J, Melendez-Torres GJ, Steinert JI, Glavin CEY, Humphreys DK.Risk and protective factors for intimate partner violence against women: Systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective-longitudinal studies.Am J Public Health. 2018;108(7):e1-e11. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2018.304428

Greene CA, Haisley L, Wallace C, Ford JD.Intergenerational effects of childhood maltreatment: A systematic review of the parenting practices of adult survivors of childhood abuse, neglect, and violence.Clin Psychol Rev. 2020;80:101891. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101891

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.Emotional and verbal abuse.

Malik M, Munir N, Ghani MU, Ahmad N.Domestic violence and its relationship with depression, anxiety, and quality of life.Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):191-194. doi:10.12669/pjms.37.1.2893

Cleveland Clinic.How to heal from emotional abuse.

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