abuse

Abuser

A person who believes their partner belongs to them, has low self-esteem, poor problem-solving skills, and seeks power and control in the relationship.

Abused

Individuals who feel dependent, lack self-esteem, and define their success by loyalty in the relationship, often unable to function without their partner.

Domestic Violence

Includes intimate partner violence, domestic abuse, dating violence, spousal abuse, and is a pattern of behavior to gain power and control over a partner.

Law Against Violence

Laws like Republic Act 9262 and 7610 aim to define and protect women and children from violence and abuse.

Intimate Partner Violence

Mistreatment in emotionally intimate relationships, including spousal, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, or estranged relationships.

Psychological Abuse

Involves name-calling, belittling, screaming, threats, and ignoring the victim to make them feel unimportant.

Physical Abuse

Includes shoving, severe battering, broken limbs, brain damage, and homicide.

Cycle of Abuse

Risk factors like poverty, lack of education, substance abuse, and witnessing family violence contribute to the perpetuation of abuse.

Clinical Picture of Abuse and Violence

Victims may show signs of agitation, withdrawal, low self-esteem, trust issues, and suppressed anger.

Nursing Responsibilities

Nurses should ensure abused clients feel safe, maintain personal space, assess anxiety levels, and ask permission before physical contact.

Types of Abuse

Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse are common forms of mistreatment in relationships.

Elder Abuse

Maltreatment of older adults by family members or caregivers, including physical, sexual, psychological abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and denial of medical treatment.

Child Abuse

Involves intentional injury, neglect, failure to provide care, abandonment, sexual assault, and torture, often perpetrated by family members.

Rape and Sexual Assault

Involves non-consensual sexual intercourse, penetration, and violence, including date rape and common myths about rape.

Safe sex practices

Encouraged for victims until HIV testing results are available.

Therapy

Supportive approach focusing on restoring victim's sense of control.

Community Violence

Interpersonal violence by individuals not intimately related to the victim.

Bullying

Includes verbal aggression and physical acts.

Public shooting

Form of community violence.

Ostracism

Involves ignoring and excluding a target individual from society.

Hazing

Part of community violence or initiation rites.

Treatment and Intervention

Involves counseling, referrals, acceptance, and support for the client.

Strengths of Traumatized Clients

Nurses can help them move from victims to survivors by focusing on their strengths.

Present Focus

Nurses should help clients focus on the present rather than dwell on past traumatic experiences.