ABUSE
Abuse doesn’t discriminate.
Abuse is all around us, occurring in a variety of relationships within intimate, family, professional, and social contexts. For example, abusers can include romantic partners, parents, health care workers or caregivers, teachers or coaches, friends, scammers or con-artists, or pimps. The frequency and severity of abuse, as well the tactics that are used by the abuser, are unique to each survivor or victim. Many people do not know that their relationship involves abuse, and if they are aware, they may minimize or not fully understand its impact.
There are six common types of abuse:
- Hitting, punching, kicking, or slapping
- Strangling or restraining against will
- Burning, biting, scratching, or stabbing
- Drowning or poisoning
- Reckless driving
- Forced use of substances
- Controlling medication or refusing medical care
- Use of weapons
- Rape or sexual assault
- Forced sexual acts
- Restricting access to birth control
- Refusing to use condoms
- Unwanted rough or violent sexual relations
- Withholding or using sex as a weapon
- Yelling, giving direct orders, or lecturing
- Use of name-calling, insults, or put-downs
- Bullying, hurtful jokes, or sarcastic comments
- Use of intimidation, humiliation, or shaming
- Stalking, monitoring, or spying
- Isolation
- Withholding of affection
- Use of blaming or disputing feelings
- Failure to provide food, appropriate clothing, or safe and clean shelter
- Failure to provide supervision or ensure supervision
- Failure to provide necessary medical and dental care
- Failure to be responsive to basic emotional needs
- Failure to provide necessary access to education for children
- Failure to ensure financial obligations are met for older adults
- Failure for older adults or adults with disabilities to meet their own essential needs required for safety and wellness (self-neglect)
- Controlling use of, or access to, money earned or saved
- Controlling access to financial information
- Destroying financial credit
- Preventing or sabotaging ability to earn own money
- Evading or refusing to pay child support
- Dragging out divorce expenses
- Human trafficking
- Domestic servitude
- Forced labor
- Descent-based or child slavery
- Forced and early marriage
Abuse has profound consequences.
Abuse at early ages has a profound impact on healthy brain development, negatively impacting pathways related to learning and memory, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and communication in relationships with others. And, at any age, abuse can have long-lasting and devastating consequences.
Consequences of abuse include:
- Malnutrition
- Brain damage
- Diabetes
- Functional limitations
- Migraine headaches
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
- Struggles forming healthy attachments
- Juvenile delinquency or criminal activities
- Unhealthy sexual practices
- Future perpetration of abuse or neglect
- Impairments in learning and memory
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Shame and guilt
- Lowered self-esteem
- Self-destructive behavior
- Substance use problems
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Higher prevalence of suicide attempts
Stop the cycle of abuse.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential 24/7 support:
1-800-799-7233
The National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential 24/7 support:
1-800-656-4673
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline offers free, confidential 24/7 support:
1-800-422-4453 (call or text)
The National Human Trafficking Hotline offers free, confidential 24/7 support:
1-888-373-7888 (or text 233733)
If you see something, say something.
If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911
Wellness Grove
