Abuse and Violence

Violence and abuse have many causes. The articles below provide information related to violence and abuse and the factors that increase the risk of aggression.   Child Abuse and Neglect Child abuse is defined as any intentional, emotional, physical, or sexual injury to a child.  Child neglect is the most prevalent kind of abuse and can be either physical, emotional, or educational. Child neglect can be intentional or unintentional. Learn more... Child Sexual Abuse Child sexual abuse includes a wide range of sexual behaviors that take place between a child and an older person. These sexual behaviors are intended to erotically arouse the older person, generally without consideration for the reactions or choices of the child and without consideration for the effects of the behavior upon the child.  Learn more... Clinical Hypnosis: Understanding Clinical HypnotherapyHypnosis is a method of communication that induces a trance or a trance-like state. Hypnosis can be conducted by one individual addressing another, or it may be conducted with the self (self-hypnosis). Trance is a naturally occurring state in which one's attention is narrowly focused and relatively free of distractions. Examples of trance states are daydreaming and some forms of meditation.  Learn more... Dating ViolenceIn a study, Molidor, Tolman, and Kober (2000) looked at the rates of dating violence for high school boys and girls, as well as the circumstances leading to and the outcomes of dating violence. The researchers discovered that 36.4% of the girls and 37.1% of the boys reported that they had experienced some physical violence in the dating relationship.  Learn more... Domestic Violence Fact Sheet Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence (IVP), partner abuse, and spousal abuse, is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans.  Learn more... Intimate Partner Violence Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse that occurs between two people in a close relationship. The term "intimate partner" includes current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV exists along a continuum from a single episode of violence to ongoing battering.  Learn more... October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, look to an important database of health statistics to find research, facts and figures on domestic violence nationally and locally.  Learn more... Sexual Abuse of Adults Sexual harassment includes any unwelcomed sexual advances or unwanted sexual contact by another adult. People involved in sexual harassment may also tell sexual jokes, ask for sexual favors, and/or use crude or abusive language in the presence of someone else who is not inviting the behavior.  Learn more... Stalking Victimization In general, stalking refers to repeated harassing or threatening behavior by an individual, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property.  Learn more... Survivors of Natural Disasters and Mass Violence Every year, millions of people are affected by both mass violence and natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires. Survivors face the danger of death or physical injury and the possible loss of their homes, possessions, and communities. Such stressors place survivors at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems.  Learn more... Treating Adolescent Survivors of Sexual Abuse While most Americans can understand, although not condone, how some forms of child abuse occur, it is almost impossible for them to consider the idea of sexual abuse. This is particularly true when the abuser is a parent or family member.  Learn more... Understanding Violent Behavior in Children and Adolescents  There is a great concern about the incidence of violent behavior among children and adolescents. This complex and troubling issue needs to be carefully understood by parents, teachers, and other adults. Learn more...