You Are Not Alone
Abuse can happen in any relationship where there's a power imbalance — a partner, a family member, a boss, or an organization. It isn't always physical — it can show up as control, manipulation, isolation, financial restriction, or fear that builds slowly over time until it feels normal. Whether it happens at home or on the job, the patterns are often the same: someone using power to dominate, silence, or exploit another person. If something doesn't feel right, you deserve support and information, not judgment. This page is here to help you recognize the signs of abuse — wherever it shows up — and connect with resources that can help, whether you're taking a first step or have been navigating this for a long time.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 (US) or your local emergency number.
Types of Abuse
Physical Abuse Hitting, slapping, choking, shoving, restraining, or any use of physical force intended to cause pain, injury, or fear. Also includes denying someone medical care or forcing use of drugs/alcohol.
Emotional / Psychological Abuse Constant criticism, humiliation, name-calling, gaslighting, threats, or intimidation designed to undermine a person's self-worth and sense of reality. Often includes mood swings meant to keep the other person off-balance or "walking on eggshells."
Verbal Abuse Yelling, insults, degrading language, or threats used to control, demean, or instill fear.
Financial Abuse Controlling access to money, preventing someone from working, withholding funds for basic needs, running up debt in their name, or requiring them to account for every dollar spent.
Sexual Abuse Any non-consensual sexual contact or activity, including within a marriage or established relationship. Also includes coercion, pressure, or using sex as a tool of control or punishment.
Digital / Technological Abuse Monitoring someone's phone, social media, or location without consent; demanding passwords; using tracking apps; or using technology to harass, threaten, or isolate.
Isolation Cutting someone off from friends, family, or support systems — controlling who they see, where they go, or restricting transportation and communication.
Coercive Control A pattern of behavior (often combining several of the above) used to dominate a partner's daily life — dictating what they wear, eat, who they talk to, or monitoring their every move. This can exist even without any single incident that looks like "abuse" on its own.
Stalking Repeated, unwanted attention or contact that causes fear — this can continue or escalate after a relationship ends.
Reproductive Coercion Sabotaging birth control, pressuring someone into pregnancy or abortion against their will, or controlling reproductive health decisions.
Workplace Abuse
Abuse of power isn't limited to personal relationships — it can happen in professional settings too, from a manager, colleague, or the organization itself.
Workplace Bullying Repeated verbal abuse, humiliation, sabotage of someone's work, unreasonable demands, or exclusion designed to undermine, intimidate, or push someone out.
Workplace Financial Exploitation Wage theft, misclassification, withheld pay, forced unpaid overtime, or retaliation for raising concerns about pay or working conditions.
Workplace Sexual Harassment Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or contact; quid-pro-quo pressure tied to job security or advancement; or a hostile environment created through repeated sexualized conduct.
Coercive Control in the Workplace A pattern of micromanagement, surveillance, threats to someone's livelihood, isolation from coworkers, or manufactured dependency used to keep an employee compliant and afraid to leave or speak up.
Retaliation Punishing an employee — through demotion, termination, exclusion, or reputational harm — for reporting misconduct, filing a complaint, or asserting their legal rights.
If you're navigating workplace abuse, your state labor board, the EEOC (US), or an employment attorney can help you understand your rights and options, including how to document a pattern of misconduct.
Fact Sheets & Guides
This page is a starting point, not a substitute for expert guidance. The organizations below are the actual experts — their fact sheets go deeper into research, statistics, and practical next steps.
- Financial Abuse Fact Sheet (NNEDV, PDF) — overview of financial abuse, its prevalence, and its long-term economic impact, from the National Network to End Domestic Violence.
- Financial Abuse Toolkit (NNEDV) — financial literacy tips and rebuilding resources for survivors and the advocates supporting them.
- NNEDV Resource Library — fact sheets on economic abuse, safety planning, housing, and more, also available in Spanish.
- WomensLaw.org — state-by-state legal information, including workplace protections for survivors.
Get Help
- National Domestic Violence Hotline (US): 1-800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788, available 24/7
- Online chat: thehotline.org
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-4673
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 (for Native American/Alaska Native communities)
- Local resources: Many areas have county or city-specific domestic violence shelters and legal advocacy programs — search "[your county] domestic violence services" for options near you.
- Workplace Fairness Hotline (US): workplacefairness.org — free info on employment rights, harassment, and retaliation
- EEOC (US): eeoc.gov — file a workplace discrimination or harassment complaint
- National Employment Law Project: nelp.org — resources on wage theft and worker protections
If you're helping someone else, remember: don't pressure them to leave on your timeline. Listen without judgment, believe them, and let them know these resources exist when they're ready.