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Types & Signs of Abuse

Relationship abuse is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner and it can show up in different ways. More than one type of abuse usually occur in an abusive relationship.  Understanding how abuse occurs can help you safely respond to situations. Below is information about some types of abuse. 

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is one of the first forms of violence people think of when they hear the words domestic violence. Physical abuse occurs when behaviors are clearly intended to render the victim powerless and to gain control in the relationship. It can range from throwing objects or blocking doorways to violent attacks or strangulation. 

Strangulation

Strangulation is among the most lethal forms of domestic violence – and being strangled increases the risk of being killed in the future by 750%. Along with an alarming increase in reported strangulations in Western New York, these cases are being documented as more severe, and the number of domestic violence agency clients at high risk or extreme risk of lethality – death – is growing.

What is strangulation?

Strangulation is an aggressive, immediate and violent act done by one person to someone else to stop breathing or blood circulation. 

Strangulation is not simply “choking.” Choking is generally unintentional, accidental and not caused by another person. Think of a piece of food or small object going down your windpipe instead of to your stomach.

Health effects of strangulation

If you are strangled, you are at risk of brain damage, memory loss, physical disability and death. 

Being strangled can cause loss of consciousness in just 5-10 seconds, and can cause brain damage and disability with a few minutes. 

Death from strangulation can happen days or weeks after the strangulation – which means it is essential to seek medical care as soon as it is safe for you to do so.

Signs and symptoms of strangulation

  • Injuries to the scalp, ears, eyes, mouth, face, neck and brain.
  • Survivors may experience changes to their voice and breathing.
  • No visible external injuries are present in about half of strangulation survivors, even in cases that lead to death.
  • Having no visible injuries doesn’t mean you were not harmed or hurt.

Strangulation signs in english

Strangulation signs in spanish

Sexual abuse

Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.

Psychological abuse

Elements of psychological abuse include - but are not limited to - causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, or partner's family or friends; destruction of pets and property; and forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Other types of abuse

There are many other types of abuse.  Visit the National Domestic Violence website for more information and types of abuse.