what is physical abuse?

What is physical abuse?

Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors including a wide range of physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment used by one person in an intimate relationship against another to gain power unfairly or maintain that person’s misuse of power, control, and authority (Reach, 2022).

As mentioned in our previous blog post ‘not all abuse is physical’, the first thing that usually comes to mind when talking about domestic abuse is physical violence. Active physical abuse is often easily identified, as it can leave visible marks, scars and bruises. Due to its visual presence, physical abuse has also been described as one of the most socially accepted types of abuse, in terms of survivors being believed and trusted with their stories.

Although it is one of the most well-known (yet not most common) types of abuse, there is still a severe lack of information on what physical abuse can involve and look like.

Physical abuse can involve:

• Punching

• Hitting

• Slapping

• Kicking

• Strangling

• Physically restraining a partner against their will

• Driving recklessly

• Invading someone’s physical space, and in any other way making someone feel physically unsafe

Something that is important to note, is that physical abuse is not limited to physical touch - physical abuse can entail something else we don't think about as being stereotypically physically abusive. Restraining, throwing objects, making you feel physically unsafe by threats, putting your physical safety in danger by forcing you to take physically abusive actions (swallowing something that hurts you; a chemical or a medication you don’t need) also falls under the same umbrella. You can also be a victim of passive physical violence, for example not being allowed to sleep, eat and move as you please. We can not assume that physical abuse involves direct contact as some forms are indirect, and still yet as damaging.

Physical abuse is a criminal act, whether it happens inside or outside and family or in an intimate relationship. Legal forces are required to and have the authority to protect you from physical attack. Physical abuse is a crime even if it happens just one time and you have all legal rights to get help even from a single instance of physical abuse.

Physical abuse can cause both short-term and long-term after-effects, physical as well as emotional and psychological. The immediate effect of physical abuse may be a bruise or a cut, but the long-term effect may be drastic and not to underestimate. Common after-effects can include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), hypertension, chronic pain, arthritis, sleep disruption, dissociation and self-harm to name a few.

Survivors of domestic violence and abuse are often in severe need of treatment, therapy and rehabilitation to heal and move on from the trauma that they have experienced. Today, only 18% of women who had experienced partner abuse in the last 12 months reported the abuse to the police with only 34% of people who are injured by intimate partners receiving medical care for their injuries (NCADV, 2022). Knowing where to turn to or who to get help from after surviving domestic violence and abuse can feel confusing, isolating, scary and shameful. Practically every aspect of a domestic abuser survivor’s life is altered in the aftermath of domestic violence and leaving an abusive relationship involves transitioning from being controlled to being in control while coping with the costs of a domestic life; hence the importance of accessible after-care for survivors. As we are moving through the identification of different types of abuse, we will discuss further how we, and others, can offer a suitable type of aftercare for survivors, creating a space of community and support.

By learning more about different types of abuse, we can easier identify and acknowledge when we, or people around us, are being held in an unsafe environment. The main goal of our work is to create an understanding of the fact that all abuse is equally damaging and that all abuse is equally wrong. By learning about the subtle gestures and behaviours, we will be able to prevent victims from getting stuck in a cycle that might be deadly to them. Throughout our work, we will continue to go more in-depth into all types of abuse, hoping to spread greater knowledge and start a discussion around the spectrum of abuse.

If you or someone around you are experiencing domestic abuse or feel unsafe, you can call Refuge’s 24 Hour Helpline: nationaldahelpline.org.uk / 0808 2000 247 or 999 in an emergency.

If you want to share your story or get in touch, email us at thealingprocess.contact@gmail.com

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768593/ https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women https://www.intawa.com.au/passive-abuse-in-relationship/ https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/adult-physical-abuse/effects-of-physical-abuse-pictures-of-physical-abuse https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1077801212470543