Types of family violence

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse means hurting someone’s body.
Examples: hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, or using weapons.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse means forcing someone to engage in sexual acts that they don’t want to do. This includes touching or forcing to have sex without consent (permission).

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse means making someone feel scared, sad, or not good enough.
Examples: insults, threats, or always blaming the person.

Spiritual Abuse

Using religion or culture to control someone is spiritual abuse. 
Examples: saying God wants them to stay in a harmful relationship, or stopping them from practicing their beliefs.

Financial Abuse

Controlling someone’s money and finances is financial abuse.
Examples: taking their money, stopping them from working, or not letting them buy things they need.

Verbal Abuse

Using words to hurt someone is verbal abuse. 
Examples: name-calling, yelling, threats, or jokes that are cruel.

Social Abuse

Social abuse means stopping someone from seeing friends, family, or their community.
Examples: not letting them go out or talk to others.

Technology (or Digital) Abuse

Using phones, the internet or other types of technology to scare or control someone is technological abuse. 
Examples: tracking where they go, sending mean messages, or sharing private photos.

Stalking

Watching, following, or contacting someone again and again in a way that makes them feel scared or unsafe is called stalking.

Systems Abuse

Using legal, health, or government services to control or punish someone is systems abuse.
Examples: making false reports to child protection, or using the court to keep control.