Physical abuse is the intentional infliction of pain and suffering on a victim through physical contact, often accompanied by psychological abuse. It can be difficult to identify and can result in physical and psychological complications. Signs of physical abuse include unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, and lifestyle changes. Intervention programs and laws exist to provide assistance and protection for victims.
Physical abuse is abuse characterized by physical contact designed to inflict pain and suffering on the victim. It can be accompanied by other forms of abuse such as psychological abuse and can be seen in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from intimate relationships to the school playground. Identifying physical abuse can be difficult, as the victim may find excuses or reasons for patterns of injury, as well as attempt to hide signs of abuse.
This form of abuse can manifest itself in a wide variety of ways. People may punch, strike, kick, slap or pinch and may also use weapons to inflict more serious injuries on their victims. Some violent individuals use tactics designed to hide signs of physical abuse, such as injuring body parts that aren’t commonly on display, mimicking natural injuries, or forcing their victims to hide their wounds or lying about the nature of the injuries on their bodies.
People subjected to physical abuse can experience a variety of physical complications. Severe abuse can result in loss of hearing and vision, damage to internal organs, bleeding, traumatic brain injury and other serious harm. Also, many victims experience psychological stress and this can lead to psychological distress, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Some victims of abuse also become abusers themselves.
The signs that someone is being physically abused can be variable. Some people have obvious physical injuries and may have gaps in their explanations for those injuries. Other individuals experience behavioral changes such as depression or aggression, or show signs of fear and nervousness towards their abusers. Physical abuse can also lead to difficulty concentrating at work or school, social withdrawal, and other lifestyle changes that may be out of character for the victim.
Law enforcement, social workers, child welfare advocates, teachers and many other civil servants are trained to recognize physical abuse and intervene to provide assistance. Detecting abuse can be complicated by denial, and providing care can be difficult. Some people trapped in abusive relationships and power dynamics may feel intimidated and fearful of taking action, fearing reprisal if they report the violence or attempt to flee. Intervention programs designed to help victims of abuse need to be wide-ranging to provide timely and adequate assistance.
Many countries have laws specifically prohibiting physical abuse. Unwanted physical contact is considered assault and people can be prosecuted for it. Individuals in abusive relationships may request protective orders and other services to limit contact with their abusers, and community outreach programs provide resources such as relocation assistance and community monitoring to address abusive relationships.
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