What is Abuse (All Forms)?
Abuse refers to behaviours that harm, control, exploit, or violate another person’s safety or autonomy. It can be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, institutional, or neglectful. Abuse often involves power imbalance and repeated boundary violations. Its impact extends beyond immediate harm, shaping emotional wellbeing, self perception, and nervous system responses. Abuse is never the fault of the person experiencing it.
How Abuse Affects Your Life
Abuse can affect how safe the world feels. Many people experience fear, shame, anger, numbness, or confusion.
Long term effects may include anxiety, depression, difficulty trusting others, and challenges with self worth. Survivors often minimise their experiences, believing others had it worse, which can delay healing.
What Causes Abuse?
Abuse is driven by power, entitlement, and control. It may be reinforced by cultural norms, institutional failures, or unaddressed trauma in the person causing harm.
Responsibility always lies with the abuser.
Why Professional Help Makes a Difference
Therapy offers validation, safety, and space to process experiences without judgement.
Therapeutic Approaches That Help
Trauma informed psychotherapy, stabilisation, and somatic approaches help rebuild safety and agency.
Who is Affected by Abuse?
Abuse affects people across all demographics. Many survivors never label their experiences as abuse.
What Recovery Can Look Like
Recovery includes increased self trust, emotional regulation, and restored boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does abuse have to be intentional?
No, impact matters more than intent.
Realistic Case Example
James, a 45 year old professional, sought therapy after recognising long standing emotional harm from a workplace authority figure.
Related Concerns
Next Steps
No diagnosis is required to seek support for abuse.