Violence and other forms of abuse are most commonly understood as a pattern of behavior intended to establish and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues, individuals or groups. While violent offenders are most often known to their victims (intimate or estranged partners and spouses, family members, relatives, peers, colleagues, etc.), acts of violence and abuse may also be committed by strangers.

Violence and abuse may occur only once, can involve various tactics of subtle manipulation or may occur frequently while escalating over a period of months or years. In any form, violence and abuse profoundly affect individual health and well-being. The roots of all forms of violence are founded in the many types of inequality which continue to exist and grow in society.

Violence and abuse are used to establish and maintain power and control over another person, and often reflect an imbalance of power between the victim and the abuser.

There are nine distinct forms of violence and abuse:

• Physical violence;
• Sexual violence;
• Emotional violence;
• Psychological violence
• Spiritual violence;
• Cultural violence;
• Verbal Abuse;
• Financial Abuse
• Neglect

Nine Types of Violence and Abuse