Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. This may include acts of violence such as striking (with or without an object), pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. Also the inappropriate use of drugs or physical restraints and force-feeding.
Signs and symptoms of physical abuse:
Bruises, welts, restraint marks, broken bones, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing. A persons sudden change in behavior, withdrawn, personality change, flinching when approached, nervous and jumpy.
Sexual abuse is defined as sexual contact of any kind with another person that has not given thier consent or is incapable of giving consent.
Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse can include:
Pain, itching or injury in the anal, genital or abdominal area, bruising to breasts,difficulty in walking or sitting due to discomfort in genital area, bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, torn, stained or bloody underclothing, venereal disease or recurrent bouts of cystitis, love bites. Individuals may become withdrawn, agitated, depressed, disturbed sleep patterns, changes in usual behaviours, routines, appearance or dress.
Emotional abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. This can include insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment. Also treating an older person like an infant, isolating from his/her familyand friends or regular activities - giving another person the "silent treatment;" and enforced social isolation are examples of emotional abuse.
Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse can include:
Depression, withdrawal, agitation, loss of confidence and anxiety, tearfulness, increased levels of confusion, angry, physical or verbal outbursts, self-abuse, low self-esteem or self neglect, demanding or attention-seeking behaviour, sexually inappropriate or overtly promiscuous...