Physical Abuse: What the Signs Are and How to Find

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If someone is experiencing physical abuse, you may be able to identify signs such as bruises or injuries. A person may also display behaviors such as expressing fear or unease when speaking about going home or flinching at loud noises.

Physical abuse is the intentional act of causing injury or bodily harm to another person. It can take many different forms.

Abuse can affect anyone, regardless of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

It’s estimated that domestic abuse, including physical abuse of adults and children, affects at least 10 million people each year in the United States. In reality, this figure is thought to be much higher due to underreporting.

Remember, abuse is preventable. Creating a culture where we can speak more openly about abuse and its everyday effects, raising awareness about the possible signs, and holding space for person-centred support can all contribute to helping stop abuse.

• unexplained injuries
• patterns of bruises or injuries in multiple stages of healing
• bruises or injuries that reflect an object, such as a belt buckle or a rope
• bruises or injuries that reflect a body part, such as a bite mark or a handprint

They may also display behaviors such as:

• flinching easily at loud noises or touch
• not being able to explain or recall how injuries occurred
• having unlikely explanations of how injuries occurred
• being overly vigilant of their surroundings

A person who is experiencing abuse may also show fear or unease about another person they’re routinely around, such as a parent, caregiver, or partner.

• exhibiting uneasiness, stress, or fear when speaking about going home
• being unresponsive to their surroundings, also known as frozen watchfulness
• displaying anxiety about the future or repeatedly questioning what will happen next
• getting easily agitated
• becoming withdrawn
• running away or going missing
• having trouble sleeping, bedwetting, or experiencing nightmares
• flinching away from touch or loud noises

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that one in six people ages 60 years and older have experienced a form of abuse in a community setting in the past year. Institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities tend to have the highest rates of abuse.

But abuse experienced by older adults, also known as elder abuse, can take place anywhere — including in their own homes. Learning about the signs can help you know when to seek help.

• confusion or withdrawal
• changes in behavior, such as easy agitation
• signs of possible trauma, like rocking back and forth or shrinking away from touch
• poor hygiene or regularly looking unkempt
• development of preventable conditions like bedsores

Many people associate physical abuse solely with actions such as hitting or kicking. But it can also take on other forms, such as:

• Injury or trauma: This involves harming another person using parts of the body, such as the hands or the feet, or an object. It can include:
  • hitting, biting, punching, or kicking
  • burning or scalding
  • choking, suffocating, or drowning
  • slapping or shaking
• Restraint: This can include restraining someone’s movement without their consent, such as pinning them against a surface.
• Physical punishment: This is the use of physical force to discipline or punish someone by causing them pain. It’s also known as corporal punishment.
• Rough handling: This form of abuse involves actions such as pulling, pushing, or grabbing someone.
• Controlling someone’s surroundings: This is a lesser-known form of abuse that can include opening windows and doors to cause someone discomfort or not allowing a vulnerable adult to see a visitor alone.

If you’re experiencing abuse or think another adult or child may be, the following organizations can offer support and guidance:

You should call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs medical attention. In most states, you can choose to make a report anonymously.

If someone is experiencing physical abuse, you may be able to identify signs such as a pattern of bruises or injuries. But there may also be noticeable behavioral signs, like flinching at perceived touch or showing unease toward another person, such as a parent, caregiver, or partner.

Adults and children can often show additional signs that may point toward abuse.

If you’re experiencing abuse or you think another adult or child may be, there are several organizations you can reach out to for support and to learn about state-specific guidelines.

You should call 911 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs medical attention.

 

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