Emotional abuse includes non-physical behaviors that are meant to control, isolate, or frighten someone.

These behaviors are often more subtle and hard to identify but are just as serious as other types of abuse.

Sexual abuse is when a partner controls the physical and sexual intimacy in a relationship.

This often involves acting in a way that is non-consensual and forced.

Financial or economic abuse occurs when an abusive partner extends their power and control into your financial situation.

Examples include:

• Providing an allowance and closely monitoring how you spend it, including demanding receipts for purchases

• Depositing your paycheck into an account you can’t access

• Stopping you from working, limiting the hours that you can work, getting you fired, or forcing you to work certain types of jobs

• Maxing out your credit cards without permission, not paying credit card bills, or otherwise harming your credit score

• Living in your home but refusing to work or contribute to the household

• Refusing to provide money for necessary or shared expenses like food, clothing, transportation, medical care, or medicine

• Withdrawing money from children’s savings accounts without your permission

Stalking occurs when someone watches, follows, or harasses you repeatedly, making you feel afraid or unsafe.

Stalking may occur from someone you know, a past partner, or a stranger. This can include different types of abuse. 

Digital abuse is the use of technology and the Internet to bully, harass, stalk, intimidate, or control a partner.

This behavior is often a form of verbal or emotional abuse conducted online.

Examples include:

• Using social media to track your activities

• Sending you negative, insulting, or threatening messages or emails

• Stealing or insisting on being given your account passwords

• Looking through your phone or checking up on your pictures, texts, and phone records

• Using any kind of technology (such as spyware or GPS in a car or phone) to monitor your activities

• Using smart home technology, smart speakers, or security cameras to track your movements, communications, and activities