Type of Abuse
Description
Signs / Symptoms

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is an act of a person involving contact of another person intended to cause feelings of physical pain, injury, or other physical suffering or harm. In most cases, children are the victims of physical abuse, but adults can also be victims, such as in a domestic environment. Alternative terms sometimes used include physical assault or physical violence, and may also include sexual abuse. Physical abuse may involve more than one abuser and more than one victim.

1. A history of unexplained falls or minor injuries especially at different stages of healing.
2. Unexplained bruising in well-protected areas of body, e.g. on the inside of thighs or upper arms etc.
3. Unexplained bruising or injuries of any sort.
4. Burn marks of unusual type, e.g. burns caused by cigarettes and rope burns etc.
5. A history of frequent changes of general practitioners or reluctance in the family, carer or friend towards a general practitioner consultation.
6. Accumulation of medicine which has been prescribed for a client but not administered.
7. Malnutrition, ulcers, bed sores and being left in wet clothing.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester. The term also covers any behavior by any adult towards a child to stimulate either the adult or child sexually. When the victim is younger than the age of consent, it is referred to as child sexual abuse.

1. Unexplained changes in the demeanor and behavior of the vulnerable adult.
2. Tendency to withdraw and spend time in isolation.
3. Expression of explicit sexual behavior and/or language by the vulnerable adult which is out of character.
4. Irregular and disturbed sleep pattern.
5. Bruising or bleeding in the rectal or genital areas.
6. Torn or stained underclothing especially with blood or semen.
7. Sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy where the individual cannot give consent to sexual acts.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Such abuse is often associated with situations of power imbalance, such as abusive relationships, bullying, and abuse in the workplace.

1. Inability of the vulnerable person to sleep or tendency to spend long periods in bed.
2. Loss of appetite or overeating at inappropriate times.
3. Anxiety, confusion or general resignation.
4. Tendency towards social withdrawal and isolation.
5. Fearfulness and signs of loss of self-esteem.
6. Uncharacteristic manipulative, uncooperative and aggressive behavior.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is a form of mistreatment and fraud in which someone forcibly controls another person's money or other assets. It can involve, for instance, stealing cash, not allowing a victim to