Abuse

There are many types of abuse, covering many of psychological issues. For example, the types include: physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, bullying, passive-aggressive, employer, social media and neglect.

Aside from describing each one of these abuses, it is possible to describe some commonalities. First, it is necessary to mention that there are basically two categories of people involved: the abuser or perpetrator and the abused or victim. Clearly, the abuser inflicts abuse on the abused. This simple description, however, does not in any way capture the pain, emotion and psychological destruction that the abused person experiences.

Abusers can be individuals, groups of people or, given our current technology, virtual individuals or virtual groups. An abuser often takes advantage of an abused person by using power and control. In other words, power and control belong to the abuser not the abused. Abuse victims feel helpless, a lack of personal power or control and eventually desperate.

Sexual abuse can occur at any age and in any setting. We hear of children being sexually abused, date rapes and rapes and perpetrators who are religious leaders, celebrities, politicians, baby sitters, close friends and so forth.

Verbal abuse involves name-calling, arguing aggressively, threatening someone, yelling and not listening. Bullies use verbal and physical abuse by threatening, hurting and instilling fear in their victims.

Virtual abuse occurs within our social media systems and involves virtual, non-tangible expressions, such as writing messages or videos. All these forms abuse and others can be described with much more detail, however, in all cases a perpetrator maintains power and control over an abused person or group of people.

An example of a group being abused is clearly evident when we consider the Nazi abusers and their Jewish victims. This also brings to mind that abuse can cross a line and become torture. Torture is a devastating experience and should never be done to any human being.

In almost all instances of abuse, the abuser is insecure and highly undeveloped as a person or as a group of people. The power and control of the abuser compensates for the insecurity and lack of development. The compensation provides the perpetrator with a false sense of worth, value and identity but always at the expense of the abused person or group of people. Abuse is always destructive to victims and can easily lead to trauma.

When we become aware of someone being abused, authorities should be contacted, such as: Child and Family Services, police officials, school principals, therapists, doctors, ministers, parents and so forth. Abuse should never be ignored.